Zack Polanski is seeking to persuade thousands of “Green curious” schoolgate mums in north London to back him in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
Green Party strategists have identified these mothers, and some fathers, as a group of voters who are particularly concerned about the impact of climate change on their children and so may be open to switching to voting for the Greens.
The record heatwaves in the capital this summer have alarmed many Londoners and driven global warming up the political agenda.
Many families living in Inner London had to endure the sweltering temperatures in flats or small houses without gardens and the greater open spaces in the capital’s suburbs.
The Green strategists believe they may be able to win over a sizeable number of mothers so worried about climate change that they have become “Green curious” - having previously shied away from the party because they did not want radical change.
But with the threat from global warming now so glaringly obvious and with unusually hot weather returning this week, Green Party campaigners have been turning up at schoolgates to engage parents about the issues concerning them ahead of the by-election on October 8.
The heatwaves and climate change have been regularly cited, particularly by mothers.
Mr Polanski told The Standard: "Like so many in London, I really struggled during the heatwaves this summer.
“Our buildings are not set up for these types of heat.
“People are telling me time and time again, that they want Labour to do more to help with this. To take the environment seriously.
“And that's what a Green vote in Holborn and St Pancras will do, it will force Labour to take Green issues seriously."
The Greens are highlighting a series of decisions where they accuse the Labour Government of failing on the environment and climate change including its strong backing for a third runway at Heathrow.
A Green source said: "The heatwave has propelled the environment up the list of concerns for voters - especially here in London.
“People can see Labour delaying decisions on more north sea oil and gas drilling, rowing back on climate spending and pushing ahead with airport expansion.
“They can see a party not taking the climate crisis seriously and this worries people, especially parents.
“This is especially true for Green curious former Labour voters.”
Bookies have Labour’s candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali, leader of Camden Council, as the favourite to win the by-election, triggered by Sir Keir Starmer standing down as the local MP.
Mr Polanski’s bid for Parliament has also been hit by George Galloway, of the Workers Party of Britain, having entered the Holborn contest.
But the Greens claim there is a shift to their party which could put the result on a “knife-edge”.
