Femy Amin: the Afghan refugee candidate for mayor of London

Sign up to the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxReceive our free View from Westminster emailPlease enter an email address valid emailPlease enter a valid email addressI would like to receive an email about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policyThank you for signing up to email View from Westminster{{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later.{{ /verifyErrors }>

Femi Amin is the Animal Welfare Party's candidate for London Mayor. She came to the UK as an Afghan refugee aged 15.

Ms Amin told The Independent that her arrival in the UK as a refugee has greatly shaped her views, as she attempts to replace Sadiq Khan when Londoners will go to the polls on Thursday.

“I grew up displaced and learned first-hand the importance of resilience and empathy as a refugee,” she said. “When I moved to the UK, I didn't have the required qualifications and had to balance university studies with long working hours. I was on the verge of homelessness.

“All of these experiences have helped fuel my passion to create a more just and compassionate world. »

Ms. Amin's main priority is to oppose all forms of discrimination in the capital, including speciesism, she said.

"I love the diversity of London, and that's what's incredible about this city," explained the candidate. “The diversity and inclusiveness and acceptance that really led me to run for mayor,” she added.

“We must take bold action and we must show that we must be compassionate as leaders, even if these decisions are difficult. »

When it comes to policing and crime, the Department of Animal Welfare party candidate said there needs to be a holistic approach.

“We need to build stronger relationships between the Met Police and the communities they serve,” she told The Independent. “I will increase the number of police officers on the street, while ensuring that recruitment policy focuses on better reflecting the city's ethnic and gender diversity. »

Ms Amin set out seven key commitments in her manifesto:< /p>Prioritize the climate crises and biodiversity in all decision-makingSave NHS funds, improve human and planetary health by promoting and supporting plant-based lifestylesIncentivize public and active transport, improving reliability, safety and affordabilityEstablish an animal welfare committee to increase protection for the millions of animals in the capitalBuild affordable and sustainable homesOppose speciesism: where wildlife is valued and managed in a non-lethal manner, the development of animal-free testing is defended and the sale of foie gras and fur is rejectedDedicate an urgent spa...