The final nominees for the Roding ward by-election on May 5 have been announced by Ukip, the Green Party and the All People’s Party.
Black cab driver Jonathan Seymour, from Barkingside, is standing for Ukip.
The 58-year-old told the Recorder he had grown disillusioned of the mainstream political parties several years ago after MPs and councillors failed to help him with taxi related issues.
“I never really had any ambitions to be political, I just want to make a difference.
“I will say to the residents of Roding, if elected, I will be there for you.
“You can ring my mobile phone, I will answer it. If you have a problem with school places, or anything, I will try and help.”
Mr Seymour is deputy chairman of the Redbridge branch of Ukip, and believes the UK should leave the European Union (EU) and bring in an Australian style points system.
Hainault resident Barry Cooper is the Green Party’s candidate.
Mr Cooper, fluent in three European languages, has worked in the travel industry and the EU.
He said: “We’ve reached crisis point, most notably on housing but also on transport and air pollution.”
With air pollution at Charlie Brown’s roundabout now four times worse than in Oxford Street, Mr Cooper commented: “It is time for drastic measures to be put in place to protect Roding residents, who have had to put up with this intolerable situation for many years.”
Marilyn Moore is standing for the All People’s Party, their first candidate in the borough.
She works for a local credit union in Tower Hamlets, as well as volunteering for several youth groups.
Ms Moore said: “As your representative for Roding ward, I will fight day and night for a positive future for all residents in these difficult times we live in.
“I will prioritise creating opportunities and enhancing the prospects of many of the most underprivileged in the area who have been without hope for far too long.”
Mr Seymour, Mr Cooper and Ms Moore will be standing against Richard Clare for the Liberal Democrats, Lloyd Duddridge for Labour and Ruth Clark for the Conservatives on May 5.
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