| The Chernobyl disaster in 1986 proved to be something of a political catalyst for Darren Johnson. Although he had been a supporter of animal rights and ecological concerns before the nuclear reactor exploded, the devastating events in Chernobyl helped focus his interest more intently on the environment. |
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A year later Johnson stumbled upon the Green
Party’s manifesto. He discovered that his ad hoc eco concerns melded into a coherent
philosophy; a philosophy that has underpinned his political career ever since.
Today, Darren Johnson is one of three Green candidates to have been successfully elected as representative members of the newly established Greater London Assembly (GLA). And when it comes to the grass being greener, he’s got the guvnor’s ear. London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, has appointed Johnson Cabinet Adviser on Environmental Issues. SEXUALITY NEVER FIGUREDBut Johnson has more than the one colour tied to his mast. Not only is he green, he’s also in the pink. Happily, Johnson’s sexuality never figured negatively during the election campaign. "It was a very gay friendly contest," he says. "We didn’t have the Tories playing the homophobic card as they have done in previous elections."The fair-minded treatment he received from the majority of the media seems to indicate a shift in attitudes toward gay political candidates. "When I stood for the European Parliament in 1994 a paper completely ignored my key green policies and concentrated solely on my sexuality," says Johnson. In contrast, press coverage of the GLA election tended to play down, rather than hype up, Johnson’s sexuality. "Occasionally it was mentioned … but as a biographical detail instead of a shock, horror kind of thing." Johnson credits openly gay Labour MPs Stephen Twigg and Ben Bradshaw for helping to break down the stereotype of the single-issue queer campaigner. "People have seen that gay politicians, although passionately committed to fighting for equality, are also as keen as any other politician to deal with a whole range of policy issues, which is a step forward." Helping set up a brand-spanking new assembly has been "absolutely totally exhausting". But now that the furniture’s been arranged, Johnson’s hungry for change. "We can really take London by storm and be far more outward looking and provocative and start making a real difference." RELATIONSHIP REGISTERNow comfortably ensconced within the GLA, one of Johnson’s main priorities will be to get the same-sex relationship register up and running. Whilst admitting the register will have no legal clout, Johnson says, symbolically, it sends out a positive message. "It will also provide some real protection for same-sex partners fighting cases regarding immigration or housing and will help to prove they are in long-term relationships." Having already tabled an official question regarding the register, Johnson says the Mayor remains committed to the idea and promises to implement it over the next four-year term.Having Ken on side is no surprise. As a 15-year-old schoolboy coming to terms with his sexuality, Johnson remembers Ken (then leader of the Greater London Authority) making a stand for gay equality. "He made quite an impact on me. I never thought that one day I’d be working as part of his administration." HOMOPHOBIA AND THE POLICEIncluded among his GLA responsibilities Johnson is a member of the Metropolitan Police Authority and says he intends to use his influential position to campaign for gay and lesbian equality within the police force. Whilst the police have started to confront institutionalised racism, Johnson says issues surrounding institutionalised homophobia are lagging behind. "Homophobia is still not part of the disciplinary code of conduct and it needs to be. I’m particularly keen that there is a real will to tackle homophobia and to see the police force move away from wasting resources on victimless crimes such as cottaging and cruising."Other issues close to Johnson’s political heart include air pollution, traffic reduction, waste reduction and the protection of open spaces; his favourite being Greenwich Park. "I’m not going to say Hampstead Heath because people will draw all the wrong conclusions." Whatever can he mean? | |