The next London Mayor should strive to make our capital city the best place in the world to raise a child

On Monday Labourlist reported on the most recent poll on Labour’s candidates for the 2016 London mayoral election. It saw Diane Abbott sneak into the lead amongst party supporters but in truth it’s a hollow victory: the most popular answer was ‘don’t know’ and the third most popular was ‘none of the above’.

This disengagement is a reflection on our politics more than on the putative candidates – even last time around the celebrity battle between Boris and Ken propelled only 38% of us to the polls. And – as the last few weeks have shown – it’s a challenge nationally not just in London.

The London Mayoralty – an idiosyncratic institution with the largest directly elected mandate in the country but limited formal powers – provides the perfect test-bed for a new politics of big ideas. Ideas excite, energise and engage beyond the already committed. They are the foundations of a mass party and they change lives.

What if the mayor, its businesses, public services, charities and citizens determined to make London the greatest place on Earth to raise a child?

The former Mayor of Bogata Enrique Penelosa said: ““If only children had as much public space as cars, most cities in the world would become marvellous.” London’s streets account for 80% of our public space – we could reclaim them for our children by designating 1000 ‘play streets’ throughout the capital within the first year of a new Mayoral term.

The UK’s Child Trust Fund was ‘the most successful savings scheme there has ever been’ but was cancelled by the new government 2010. But San Francisco didn’t need national Government – their Kindergarten to College programme does the same thing. Why not a London equivalent?

London’s businesses benefit from operating in one of the most successful cities in the world – we should expect more of them in return. To start with, a Mayoral Compact with Business would see inspiring work experience, apprenticeships, and fair starting pay become a hallmark of every reputable company to support our children and young people into great jobs. Harnessing potential, not taking away benefits.

A London Young Mayor would give children the right to be heard. A ban on advertising near schools would ensure space free from commercial pressure. We could replicate the success of the London Challenge in transforming London’s schools by rolling out a London Challenge 2 focused on children’s social services. And London Sundays – backed up by free tube travel – would replicate the success of Bristol’s Make Sunday’s Special in bringing families together to enjoy our city’s rich cultural resources.

These and many more ideas are included in a paper we’re launching today to stimulate discussion and generate new ideas for London’s next Mayor. It suggests a set of expectations each child and young person could demand of their Mayor and their city: the rights of a London child, spelt out because many are denied them at present.

It is the first of six to be released over the next six months, it draws on 150 contributions made to Changing London over the winter of 2013/14, and it is just the beginning. If you’d like to join the discussion, to suggest an idea, improve or disagree with something we have suggested, or tell us your favorite, please get in touch. We are particularly keen to post blogs in response to the paper. Please join us at www.change-london.org.uk