Profile: Lindsey German

Interview: Lindsey German

Lindsey German, who hopes to become mayor of London for the Left List, was one of the founders of the anti-war coalition in 2004.

She came fifth for the anti-war Respect coalition in the last mayoral election four years ago, beating the Green Party's candidate, and in 2005 unsuccessfully stood to be the MP for West Ham in east London.

Ms German was born in London in 1951 and was educated in Hillingdon before reading law at the London School of Economics.

She is the convenor of the Stop the War Coalition, which was founded 10 days after the 9/11 terrorist atrocities in the United States, in which some 3,000 people died.

"We condemn the attacks on New York and we feel the greatest compassion for those who lost their life on 11 September 2001," the coalition stated in a document outlining its aims.

"But any war will simply add to the numbers of innocent dead, cause untold suffering, political and economic instability on a global scale, increase racism and result in attacks on civil liberties."

'Give people voices'

Ms German has described herself as having "a lifelong commitment to women's liberation".

She was part of the pro-choice National Abortion Campaign 33 years ago and also pushed for the pay of women to be brought in line with that of men.

Lindsey German currently lives in Hackney, with her partner

In the past she has also fought other battles, such as a demand for compensation for victims of the thalidomide, a powerful drug which caused disabilities to more than 400 babies born in the UK in the 1950s and '60s.

And she pressed for an end to apartheid in South Africa, as well as racism and conflicts around the world.

In 2005 she described herself as someone who was "not a career politician", adding that she wanted to stand for Parliament "to give a voice to those campaigning against war, inequality and injustice".

The issues on which she is campaigning to be mayor include the building of additional council houses, better and cheaper public transport to discourage the use of cars, and measures to ensure Londoners do not subsidise the 2012 Olympics.

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