Animal Welfare Party is standing in the Mayor of London and London-wide Assembly Elections taking place on 2nd May
Mayor of London Election
Femy Amin is Animal Welfare Party’s candidate for Mayor of London.
Femy has 7 key policies for the capital:
- Fighting for a liveable planet – prioritising the climate & biodiversity crises in all decision-making
- Saving NHS funds, improving human & planet health by promoting & supporting plant-based lifestyles
- Incentivising public & active transport, improving reliability, safety & affordability
- Enhancing protection for the millions of animals in the capital, establishing an Animal Welfare Committee within the London Assembly
- Leading on creating homes for all that are affordable & sustainable
- Making our capital a global leader in opposing speciesism – where wildlife is valued & managed non-lethally, developments in animal-free testing are championed & the sale of foie gras & fur is rejected
- Dedicating urgently needed space for nature & ensuring pesticide & herbicide use becomes a thing of the past
For information about Animal Welfare Party’s national policies please see our General Election Manifesto Animal Welfare Party 2019 General Election Manifesto. Please note that AWP has not yet published our manifesto for the 2024 / 2025 General Election.
More about Femy Amin
Femy came to the UK from Afghanistan as a refugee at the age of 16 and, motivated by a desire to help others, studied to become a pharmacist.
Fighting to create a fairer world has always been high on Femy’s list of priorities. In 2005 Femy visited Afghan refugee camps contributing to efforts to expand education provision for children. In 2010 Femy spent five months in Pakistan helping with flood relief efforts.
Naturally, Femy’s compassion has not been limited to helping people and, in 2018, Femy began to campaign on animal protection and environmental issues. In 2019, Femy stood as Animal Welfare Party’s candidate for the seat of Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner and in 2021, just a week before giving birth, Femy was a candidate for the party in the London-wide Assembly Election.
In addition to her day job and motherhood, Femy has been a speaker in schools talking to children about our relationship with animals and environment.
“My motivation for standing in the London Mayoral Election,” says Femy, “is all about creating an inclusive, empathetic, and equitable London, where every individual is valued. I believe in building a city that not only prioritises the well-being of its human residents but also recognises the importance of compassion towards animals and the environment.”
If you believe in Femy’s vision for a fairer future for all, vote Femy Amin, Animal Welfare Party in the election for Mayor of London on the 2nd May.
London-wide Assembly Election
Animal Welfare Party is contesting the London-wide Assembly Election with a party list of seven candidates.
Vanessa Hudson
Leader of AWP since 2010, Vanessa believes that fighting the climate and biodiversity crises and ending speciesism are some of the most urgent and moral imperatives of our time.
A Producer in the media industry by profession, Vanessa was born in Sheffield, and grew up in Nottinghamshire. She studied English and Communication Studies at the University of Liverpool before moving to London by way of Hong Kong and Sydney.
She has followed a vegan diet for the past 29 years. In 2006, Vanessa was a founding member of Vegan Runners UK and later became the club’s Press Secretary.
Vanessa joined Animals Count / AWP in 2009, taking over the leadership from Jasmijn De Boo in 2010. Vanessa greatly enjoys working with other animal parties from around the world and takes huge encouragement from the growth of the international Animal Politics movement and the successes many parties within it are enjoying at local, national and EU Parliament level.
Previous elections contested for AWP:
2014 European Parliament Elections (Candidate, London Region)
2015 General Election (Candidate, Holborn & St Pancras)
2015 Tower Hamlets Mayoral Election
2016 London Assembly Election (Candidate, London-wide election)
2017 General Election (Candidate, Hackney South & Shoreditch)
2019 EU Parliament Election (Candidate, London Region)
2019 General Election (Candidate, Bethnal Green & Bow)
2021 London Assembly Election (Candidate, London-wide election)
2021 London Mayoral Election (Candidate, Mayor of London)
Saffron Gloyne
A lifelong Croydon resident, Saffron has always been a vocal champion of the vulnerable, a quality, she believes, that was instilled in her by her mother, who spent her life nursing for the NHS.
Since becoming vegan over five years ago, Saffron has become heavily involved in both animal rescue and campaigning and has decided to dedicate her life to implementing real change for both wildlife and domestic animals through community action, already working alongside a number of organisations to successfully change policies and save animal lives.
She says of standing as a candidate for Animal Welfare Party “In order to effect widespread, tangible progress and improve conditions for the animals and people in our community, there need to be voices speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. I hope to galvanise the wider community in making choices that benefit all of us and ensure the future of our environment.”
Previous elections contested for AWP:
2022 Local Election – Addiscombe West ward, Croydon
Femy Amin
Femy is standing for Animal Welfare Party in the elections for both Mayor of London and the London Assembly.
Previous elections contested for AWP:
2019 General Election – Ruislip, Northwood & Pinner
2021 London Assembly Election (Candidate, London-wide election)
Alex Bourke
A founder member and former vice-chair of AWP, Alex has a degree in mathematics, a masters in computer systems, and was formerly a chartered engineer working for multinationals, before setting up the publishing company Vegetarian Guides in 1998 to publish vegan books. His latest books are Vegan London Complete, and for new vegans The Vegan Guide – everything you need to embrace the world’s fastest growing way of life.
Alex is a former director, chair and national media spokesperson for The Vegan Society and is experienced in explaining and debating animal and vegan issues in all national media. He believes in finding ways forward where everyone wins: consumers, farmers, animals and the planet.
Previous elections contested for AWP:
2009 European Parliament Elections (Candidate, Eastern Region)
2014 EU Parliament Elections (Candidate, London Region)
2016 London Assembly Election (Candidate, London-wide election)
2021 London Assembly Election (Candidate, London-wide election)
Bel Jacobs
Bel Jacobs is a former fashion editor turned speaker, writer and campaigner on climate justice, animal rights and alternative systems in fashion. She is founder of Fashion in Schools, speaking to secondary school pupils about the impact of the fashion industry and different ways to engage creatively with fashion; co-founder of Fashion Act Now, a campaign group calling for a managed contraction of the fashion industry.
Bel is also founder of The Empathy Project, an online platform seeking to heal the broken relationship between humans and animals as a key tenet of the transition to a more evolved future. Finally, she is co-founder of The Islington Climate Centre, a hub for social and environmental groups in North London.
Mark Scott
Mark Scott has lived and worked in London for 12 years. He loves the city – especially the distinctively different boroughs, the lively culture and the wealth of possibilities.
Whilst he believes that London is a fantastic city, there is still work to do to make it even better – particularly with regard to animal, human and environmental welfare.
Mark joined the Animal Welfare Party as he feels that we are the only party willing to protect, defend and fight for the plethora of species that inhabit our world. “Now is our chance to show that” he says.
Previous elections contested for AWP:
2021 London Assembly Election (Candidate, London-wide election)
Julian Weisman
Born and raised in North London, Julian is a passionate believer in animal rights. He has been a Member of Animal Welfare Party for 13 years and has supported several previous election campaigns as a volunteer, along with membership and support of several animal charities.
Previous elections contested for AWP:
2021 London Assembly Election (Candidate, London-wide election)
Are you interested in standing as a candidate for us in the General Election? If so, please visit our General Election page here.
AWP’s Vision for London
Our vision for a fairer, healthier London includes:
Fighting for a liveable planet by prioritising the climate & biodiversity crises in all decision-making
Actively promoting and encouraging the concept of personal carbon budgeting – creating a culture where discussing the carbon cost of an activity becomes common place and creating a Mayor’s Award for children demonstrating innovation in carbon saving
Saving NHS funds, improving human and planet health, helping to prevent future pandemics by promoting & supporting plant-based lifestyles across the capital
Championing the introduction of sustainable, plant-based options on every menu and at every meal in London’s nurseries, schools, hospitals & care homes
Actively opposing the importation of grain and soya as animal feed from cleared rainforest land
Championing investment and research into the development of alternative, non-animal protein sources to help ensure long term, sustainable food security
Supporting the development of vertical farms within London
Ensuring sustainability & ethics are at the heart of GLA procurement policies so that, across the GLA family, public funds are not spent on items including foods, drinks, cleaning and household products that have a negative effect on human health, the environment or animal welfare – here or anywhere else in the world
Continuing to offer free school meals to children attending state primary schools but, in accordance with the policy above, ensuring that the public funds spent to provide these are not spent on products whose production or use has a negative effect on human health, the environment or animal welfare in the UK or elsewhere
Standing up for the health and longevity of London’s children by working to restrict licences for fast food establishments close to schools
Working to expand and promote interest in London’s biodiversity and an end to the use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilisers in London’s municipal spaces whilst, at the same time, dedicating more space to nature, allowing it to flourish & take centre stage – and, crucially, providing greater opportunities for citizens to engage with, enjoy and work to protect the natural world
Promoting re-wilding right across the capital – from Epping Forest to private and public gardens, verges and sidings – with a Mayor’s Award for Excellence in this area
Championing proper funding for enforcement of littering and dumping across the capital so that our streets, parks, reserves and green spaces can be enjoyed by all
Celebrating the return of species to the Thames and ensuring that work to clear it of plastic, sewage and debris is always prioritised and championed
Proudly forging a reputation as being a city where speciesism is rejected and a stand is taken against cruel and degrading activities involving non-human species; discouraging the sale of both foie gras and fur products across London, speaking out against the use of bear skins for military apparel, opposing the sale of live crustaceans in London’s markets and shops, and the boiling alive of crustaceans in the capital’s restaurants, opposing the sale of animals in our pet stores and the exhibiting of captive animals in London’s zoos and aquaria
Demonstrating leadership on the urgent need to end experimentation on hundreds of thousands of animals each year at London’s universities – with real support for and celebration of London’s role in the development of world leading Non Animal Methods (NAMs) and a Mayor’s Award for Innovation in this field
Ensuring non lethal management of London’s fox, deer and other wildlife populations becomes the norm
Speaking out against the inappropriate use and maintenance of bird spikes and bird netting across the capital
Opposing the use of police horses at demonstrations and public events where those animals could be exposed to violence, harm or distress
Working to promote London’s animal-product-free and sustainable economy with greater incentives for businesses operating without harm to animals and the environment, festivals and events celebrating and promoting London’s strengths in this area
Offering greater incentives for shops and businesses reducing food waste
Introducing a London-wide pet abandonment prevention plan – taking in public education and expectation management on animal ‘ownership’, improving access to animal health care, spaying and neutering, promoting the re-homing of existing animals over the breeding of new animals
Pushing for vastly increased provision for companion animals in social housing developments and the private rented sector, demonstrating respect for and understanding of the human / animal bond and ‘cradle to grave’ ethos of good pet stewardship. This would also form part of a city-wide ‘Pet Abandonment Prevention Plan’ and would help to reduce the immense pressures currently being experienced by animal shelters
Leading the charge to end the sale of animals online
Pushing Government for the replacement of the Dangerous Dogs Act and stricter controls around both breeding and companion animal ‘ownership’. Introducing a London wide plan to target irresponsible owners who deliberately train animals to fight and attack.
Prioritising the need to protect animals being worked in London’s entertainment and sports industries with a plan for the phasing out of greyhound and horse-racing in the capital
Funding and support for city farms to operate as animal sanctuaries where animals are not sent to slaughter
Championing the introduction of independently monitored CCTV in London slaughterhouses
Promoting education on animal rights and care in London’s schools
Working for all schools to be vegan inclusive and activities which do not teach respect for animals, such as classroom hatching projects and trips to zoos and aquaria, being ended
Striving for much needed joined-up thinking across the capital on recycling and re-use with the aim of making London a world example of recycling best practice
Taking a holistic approach to crime prevention including support for the provision of opportunities for all groups
Working to build stronger relationships between the Metropolitan police and communities served with a key focus on tackling the most serious crimes including gender based violence
Striving to improve the reputation of the Metropolitan Police and working to fill the existing staff shortfall by ensuring recruitment policy focuses on better reflecting the ethnic and gender diversity of London
Taking a tough stance on wildlife crime and ensure appropriate training for all police officers dealing with animals and crimes involving animals
Implementing public awareness campaigns and working with local organisations to create targeted education programmes to drive greater understanding of the consequences of key concerns such as knife crime, sexual violence and drug use, including the spread of newer synthetic opioids
Supporting the development and expansion of existing public information campaigns addressing sexual harassment and abuse
Incentivising public & active transport by making it reliable, safe & affordable
Recognising and addressing the inadequate levels of investment in cycling and walking infrastructure compared to that of roads
Promoting the carbon savings and benefits to the environment of non-private transport, and working to improve reliability, safety & affordability of public and active transport, including subsidies for low-income individuals and families – thereby reducing the number of private vehicles on the road and improving London’s air quality
Working to always increase the percentage of the TFL network’s energy demand obtained from renewable power
Reopening Hammersmith Bridge to pedestrian, cycle and public transport traffic only
Working to reduce the number of flights taken from the UK by supporting the introduction of a frequent flyer levy and opposing the construction of additional runways or airports for the capital
Re-thinking the Silvertown Tunnel offer so that it primarily serves the needs of public and active transport travellers
Prioritise the protection of wildlife, ecosystems and tax-payer funds in all future decision-making in relation to the HS2 project
Recognising the positive impact the introduction of the ULEZ has had on London’s air quality and its potential to raise London children’s health outcomes but acknowledging that the introduction has negatively impacted many groups including; less well off families, individuals, charities, small businesses and those with caring responsibilities, and exploring methods of introducing fairness back into the system and encouraging appeal and uptake of the vehicle scrappage scheme
Prioritising the creation of both sustainable and truly affordable homes, including social housing to address growing housing waiting lists, worsening homelessness and rough sleeping
Forging partnerships with central government, developers, housing associations, and local authorities to increase affordable housing provision through joint initiatives, and streamlined planning processes, ensuring that infrastructure planning aligns with the need for affordable housing delivery, prioritising investment in areas where it will have the greatest impact on increasing housing supply. This includes working with local authorities to improve, prioritise and expedite development on brownfield developments
Collaborating closely with public estates to pinpoint opportunities for releasing additional land for affordable housing development, optimising the utilisation of available land to meet housing demands
Prioritising refurbishment over demolition, where possible, to reduce negative impact on environment and community
Improving the deteriorating condition of existing social housing stock, pushing for Government to relax the Affordable Homes Programme grant funding rules to allow local authorities greater flexibility in using funds to regenerate existing homes and raising property to a decent standard, allowing to grow overall housing supply
Advocating for better use to be made of the vast number of existing vacant properties in the capital
Ensuring equitable access to arts and cultural opportunities for all Londoners, including targetted funding for underserved communities, collaboration with schools and community centres, and the development of inclusive programming and outreach strategies
Generating investment in London’s arts and cultural sector by offering greater incentives to productions operating sustainably
Collaborating with local authorities and cultural organisations to develop comprehensive strategies for arts and cultural provision tailored to each community’s needs and interests
Leading on partnerships between local authorities, schools, libraries, and community centres to integrate arts and cultural activities into education, recreation, and community development programs
Facilitating collaborative projects and initiatives that leverage the strengths and resources of multiple sectors including academia and local authorities, such as facilities sharing and joint programming
Continuing the existing policy of offering free school meals to state primary school children, at the same time ensuring procurement policy adheres to our goal of minimising negative impact on climate, biodiversity, human and animal welfare
Supporting community-owned and renewable energy initiatives to lower utility bills and promote sustainable living practices
Supporting all calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel Gaza conflict, the free flow of aid into Gaza, the protection of all civilians and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages
Supporting calls for an immediate end to UK arms exports to Israel
