Susan Hall - Conservative Candidate for Mayor

Age UK London recently hosted its Older Londoners’ Election Hustings and has also released its Manifesto.

There are 13 candidates standing to be Mayor of London. For a full list please visit https://www.londonelects.org.uk/im-voter/candidates/mayoral-candidates.

We asked the four leading London Mayoral Candidates if they would write a blog post for older Londoners. Here we have the third, a blog from Susan Hall, the Conservative party candidate.

All too often, the over-60s are brushed aside in London. As a Londoner, I have been deeply moved by the stories and struggles of our older residents. I am proud to put forward my main pledges, which are a direct response to the issues you have been raising. In a vibrant city like London, it is vital that we put the needs and concerns of older Londoners back on the agenda.

First and foremost, I am staunchly dedicated to protecting the essential services older Londoners rely upon, such as the Freedom Pass and the 60+ Oyster card – extending them to cover peak hours, which Sadiq Khan cruelly took away. These provide older Londoners with the freedom to travel across our great city, to access healthcare, community services, and much more.

As Mayor, I pledge to safeguard these invaluable benefits, ensuring they remain accessible and affordable.  We also need to make London more accessible. I will start by removing floating bus stops, which are particularly dangerous for older and more vulnerable Londoners. It is also unacceptable that many elderly Londoners face barriers to mobility and transportation due to inadequate infrastructure. And after eight years of Sadiq Khan, he has failed to sort this out. By investing in accessible public transport and prioritising pedestrian safety, we can create a better environment for all Londoners.

I also recognise the importance of addressing a critical need: public toilet access.  For far too long, our older population has been forced to navigate the city without sufficient access to restroom facilities, resulting in discomfort, inconvenience, and even health risks. That is why I will make sure TfL increases the availability of public toilets throughout London, ensuring that no one is caught short on our network. By protecting essential services like the Freedom Pass and the 60+ Oyster card, improving accessibility in our city, and increasing the availability of public toilets, we can create a more inclusive and age-friendly London for all residents.

As Mayor, I will tirelessly advocate for the needs of our older population, working to ensure they can fully participate in and contribute to the rich tapestry of life in our capital city.

Susan Hall chaired her local traders’ association for many years and it was that commitment to her local community which eventually led to her being elected as a councillor – where she has worked in Harrow for nearly 20 years. As a London Assembly Member she has, amongst others, chaired the Budget, Fire and Police committees, and was leader of the Conservative Group for nearly four years.