72-year-old Brockley police volunteer running for Mayor of London

His papers are in, his manifesto is taking shape and now Peter Lee is preparing for the biggest challenge of his life.

Speaking from his home above a funeral director’s in Brockley Road, he told News Shopper: “You’re speaking to the next mayor of London.”

Peter Lee wants to run as an independent candidate for the job in 2012 and likens his campaign to that of the capital’s first mayor Ken Livingstone, who also ran without party support.

Mr Lee, who used to work in the building industry, said he first became interested in London issues when he moved to the Honor Oak estate in 1970.

He said: “On Easter Saturday a young boy was killed playing chicken on the railway line.

“I asked people what they were going to do about it and they said ‘nothing’.

“I couldn’t believe it.”

He says he was so annoyed by the lack of action that he decided to do something himself, contacting constituency MP John Gummer and organising a petition to get a safety fence put up beside the track.

What followed was a diverse career which saw him stand for the Liberals - “for my sins,” he joked - develop Oakley Youth Club and work for the St John Ambulance Service.

Over the past decade he has been volunteering at Brockley police station where he works on the front counter. He married four years ago after meeting a “beautiful young lady from China” on the internet called Xiaomei.

And he said what convinced him to get involved in the 2012 mayoral campaign was the “hullabaloo” over MPs expenses.

He explained: “These politicians are already on a good wage. Do you know anyone in south London who earns that much?

“I said no. That’s it. I’m standing as mayor.

“By Christ, I’ll be known because I’ll speak out.”

Despite the odds, he is confident of success in 2012 and is promising London people “a new dawn”.

He said: “I’ve got more feeling for the young of this city than any other candidate. They’ve been neglected left, right and centre for many years.”

And he claimed, if he had been mayor, last month’s riots might never have happened.

He said: “What the hell does Boris know about the police? I’ve got 10 years experience at a police station.”

To find out more about his campaign visit www.mayorforlondon2012.co.uk

"A new dawn" - Mr Lee's policies

Police - Stopping mayoral interference with the Met Police, preventing cuts, no longer appointing the Met Commissioner.

Transport - Working closely with all unions trying to minimise disruption at times of crisis.

Crime - Clamping down on Blue Badge fraud by creating a special unit.

War - Keeping the pressure on politicians to bring back the troops from Afghanistan.

Transport - Freezing fares on trains and buses for at least two years.

Youth - Helping young offenders get into training.

Congestion charge - Halve it in the first year and “see what he can do” in the following year.