With the London Mayor elections fast approaching in less than two weeks, Nub News will be speaking to some of the candidates fighting for your vote.

One of these is the Renew Party candidate, Kam Balayev, who spoke to Nub News last week at The Station House, an independent pub in Acton.

Balayev is originally from Azerbaijan and moved to London 14 years ago as a student, which is something he prides himself on.

He said: "London is such a diverse and multicultural city, we are all Londoners, but around half of us weren't actually born here."

He does not see himself as a 'traditional politician', having worked as a lawyer, in business, as well as security and tech.

He described himself as 'running to be the CEO of London', as being Mayor of London to him is 'about effective management, analysing the problems and coming up with solutions.'

He spoke to us about some of the key issues affecting the lives of Londoners.

One of those topics is the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), which have proved to be very divisive in the Borough of Wandsworth - which is where his office is based - but also throughout our borough in Richmond too, along with other areas of London as well.

With some candidates supporting the schemes, such as the current Mayor, Sadiq Khan, and others claiming they will remove any unwanted LTNs, such as the Conservative candidate, Shaun Bailey, Balayev gave us his take on the matter.

"Whoever is saying they'll remove all LTNs is just lying to get votes," he said.

"It's impossible to just say you'll remove all of them from day one.

"What I plan on doing is to create a taskforce, which within 45 days will have analysed all the LTNs and those that cause problems such as extra traffic or pollution, will be removed."

Although LTNs are a key issue for many residents in Twickenham and around the Capital, it isn't the only one.

For Balayev everything revolves around the economy and its recovery following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

One of his key policies is what he describes as the 'New Economy' - an economy powered by data.

"Big firms use our personal information and make money, often without paying their fair share back to the community," he said.

"Londoners deserve a piece of the pie, but we are going hungry.

"A business-friendly environment attracts these firms to our city, creating jobs and spurring growth.

"We now need to take back some of those profits.

"By doing so, London can emerge as a venue for people to come together in a new relationship with the powerful companies that will make us wealthy."

For Balayev, social issues also revolve around economic recovery, which is why he is so reliant on the 'New Economy'.

He said: "The sooner we can start the 'New Economy', the sooner we can help the homeless, or those who have been working long hours for years but can't afford to save up to buy their own home, or those who have turned to gangs because of poverty."

The importance of the economy is why Balayev also wants to declare the start of E-London.

"London should aim to become the tech capital of the world", he added.

"This will aim to attract some of the most innovative tech businesses and entrepreneurs to London, bringing jobs, investment and tax revenues into the city.

"This will in turn improve the economy, which in turn will help fix the social issues we face in our city."

During the pandemic, the UK has also officially left the EU, with the transition period ending at the start of 2021.

Although Balayev supported Remain in the 2016 referendum, he believes we shouldn't be 'crying over spilt milk' and should instead be trying to 'move forward and think to the future.'

He said: "Trying to re-join the EU will be so costly economically, we've spent so much money trying to leave, it's just not feasible.

"We have to move forward and that's what the 'New Economy' will help do.

"I will make sure that London remains one of the strongest capitals in Europe, while also always remaining friendly to Europeans who want to come and work here."

The Renew Party candidate also wants to extend the deadline for EU residents to sort out their settlement status by another two years, until 2023.

"Some people from the older generation who have lived here for decades might not be as tech savvy, we can't expect them to just complete these forms online and if they don't, then kick them out," he added.

"That's why I plan to extend the deadline for the settlement scheme and physically assist anyone who needs help with their application."

Finally, when asked what he thinks regarding the calls that this election is a two-horse race, Balayev referred to that suggestion as 'disrespectful to Londoners'.

He said: "This is such cliché thinking that there is a monopoly where only two parties dictate everything.

"Time has come to recognise that there are other stakeholders, such as the Renew Party, that offer much better solutions.

"A comparison can be made between big restaurant chains – Labour and Conservatives – with small independent restaurants, which is what we are.

"But the political landscape is changing and after this election the big parties will realise that if they don't change, they won't survive."

The Mayoral elections will take place on May 6 and 19 candidates are planning to stand.

These are (in alphabetical order):

• Shaun Bailey, Conservative
• Kam Balayev, Renew Party
• Sian Berry, Green Party
• Count Binface, Independent
• Valerie Brown, Burning Pink
• Piers Corbyn, Let London Live
• Max Fosh, Independent
• Laurence Fox, Reclaim Party
• Peter Gammons, UKIP
• Richard Hewison, Rejoin EU
• Vanessa Hudson, Animal Welfare Party
• Steve Kelleher, Social Democrat Party
• Sadiq Khan, Labour
• David Kurten, Heritage Party
• Farah London, Independent
• Nims Obunge, Independent
• Niko Omilana, Independent
• Luisa Porritt, Liberal Democrats
• Mandu Reid, Women's Equality Party
• Brian Rose, Independent

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