Is Zac Goldsmith the right person to solve London's issues?

As a first time voter, I was absolutely marveled by Zac Goldsmith’s campaign for democratic reform and his promise to fight against a third runway at Heathrow airport. With a few months to go to the election, I had already decided that I would vote for Zac – until I searched up his voting history.

So, who is Zac?
Zac Goldsmith is currently the Conservative Member of Parliament for Richmond Park and North Kingston; and a candidate for next year's mayoral election in London. In the past, he has worked as a writer for The Ecologist and has contributed to the New Statesman magazine. He also wrote a book called The Constant Economy. In the House of Commons, he is very well known for his passion about democratic reform.

What does his voting record suggest?
His voting history explicitly suggests that he is out of touch with the issues affecting Londoners.
1. Currently London has the most expensive public transport in the world; however, Zac Goldsmith decided to vote against reducing public transport fares.
2. London has 40 higher education institutions and a student population of more than 400,000. But, he voted to end financial support for 16-19 year olds in training and further education. Additionally, he has consistently voted for raising England's tuition fee to £9,000 per year.
3. He voted for the privatisation of Royal Mail. It was sold off at £3.3bn but a couple of days later it was worth £5.6bn. The only beneficiaries from this sell-off were the investors in the city who hit a jackpot!
4. Zac voted against removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords.
5. At a time when inequality is rising and rights are being infringed, he decided to vote for restricting the scope of legal aid.

Source of voting history - http://www.theyworkforyou.com/

In a few months’ time London will be electing its mayor - a mayor who will serve a four year term at a time of severe austerity, rising costs and falling incomes. Londoners need a mayor who will solve the housing crisis and cap the rising fares of public transport.

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By: Muhammed Hussain, Politics, Philosophy and Sociology student at Coombe Sixth Form.