Animals party eyes City Hall seat

Ms de Boo hopes to pick up votes from pet lovers

While others focus on crime and transport, Jasmijn de Boo aims to be the first London Assembly member elected on an animal rights ticket.

Ms de Boo thinks she can attract votes from across the political spectrum, as well as enthusing those who are fed up with mainstream parties.

Animals Count calls for an NHS-style animal healthcare system and more "green corridors" for wildlife.

She is one of 10 people in the running for the Southwark and Lambeth seat.

Ms de Boo, 32, is the first person to stand in a UK election for the Animals Count party and hopes to pick up votes from disillusioned animal lovers.

'Sympathetic'

The Dutch national, who lives in Kennington, south London, stood in the European elections for Holland's Party for Animals.

Ms de Boo, who works for an animal welfare charity, came to the UK shortly afterwards and founded Animal Counts, which she says has more than 100 members - mostly in London and Wales.

She hopes to pick up votes from Londoners who are "disappointed and disillusioned" with the main parties and says it is "possible" to pick up 5% of the vote - enough to secure the deposit.

"I think a lot of people who have companion animals will be sympathetic," she said.

The party will be targeting pet shops, veterinary clinics and health food shops over the next few weeks with leaflets.

If elected, Ms de Boo wants responsibility for ensuring the mayor's animal welfare framework strategy, to establish an NHS for animals, to provide more vegetarian meals in schools, hospitals and care homes and more parks and green spaces for wildlife.

Also standing in the Southwark and Lambeth ward are: Shane Collins for the Greens, Shirley Houghton for the Conservatives, Daniel Lambert for the Socialist Party, Geoffrey Macharia for Christian Choice, Caroline Pidgeon for the Lib Dems, Janus Polenceus for the English Democrats, Valerie Shawcross for Labour, Jens Winton for UKIP and Katt Young for the Left List.