Islington Green Party was buoyed today by Islington’s boating community coming out in support for the Greens, for the upcoming local election. Islington is home to hundreds of individuals who live in boats across the waterways of Islington. Leading members of the community recently endorsed Green candidates in the borough, in light of the Greens housing policies and support of the community.
Quote from boating community
“The Green Party is a natural choice for boaters, as our affinity with the environment is what attracted many of us to life on the waterways. Given their mention of Canal Boats in their official housing policy, and the demonstration that they’re willing to engage with us as a part of their electorate, we can see that The Greens are the party best placed to ensure that boaters and canal-side property inhabitants find mutually agreeable resolutions to the problems that we both face. Boaters en masse respect the rules of the water, and the rights of those that live on land – we want to work directly with all concerned to find creative solutions to recent disturbances in our shared environment.”
Quote from Alex Gordon Caledonian Candidate
“We’re delighted to have the backing of many of Islington boating community. These waterways have been homes for many, for countless generations and it is vital that they remain so. With London’s out of control housing prices it is unsurprising that London’s canals prove to be an alluring option for many. It’s important that Islington council protects the rights and lifestyles of the boating community, and leaves in place their right to moor and to live peacefully in the borough”
Quote from Charlie Kiss of Islington Green Party
‘Islington Boaters work with the police to prevent anti-social behaviour and their very presence creates a safer atmosphere and reduces crime along our canals. Islington is better off for having this community here, and the Green Party is committed to standing up for them and indeed all Islington residents’
The boat dwellers use local businesses such as shops, launderettes etc. due to limited space so they contribute to the local economy and they also contribute towards the maintenance of our waterways. They demonstrate that the canal is a valuable, living feature of Islington.
The Green party would work with them and all canal-side users and residents to find ways of living alongside each other with respect and consideration for their respective rights and lifestyles. Long-term measures such as installing metered affordable electricity supply points could prove beneficial to both boaters and those in canal-side developments as long as they’re implemented with careful respect to the wishes of all groups concerned, and ensure that further division doesn’t occur. Labour’s policy of playing one group of canal users off against another is not helpful.
