• IT’S a huge honour to have been selected to run as the Labour Party candidate in the Haverstock by-election on December 12.

Camden has shaped me: I was born and raised in Somers Town and attended schools across the borough. My first job was in Camden Lock and I live in Camden’s social housing.

All of this gives me a strong understanding of how excellent local services can improve lives and also how devastating the brutal cuts of the Conservatives/ Liberal Democrats have been on people in our borough.

As Labour’s candidate I’m already working hard, listening to the concerns of local residents.

If elected I will be working for more investment in support to keep our young people safe, radical action to meet the climate crisis, maximising council housing for local residents and defending our local schools and services at risk of closure or forced academisation from years of Conservative and Liberal Democrat central government cuts.

As a councillor my number one priority would always be supporting the residents of Haverstock, working closely with fellow ward councillors.

Throughout the campaign I have seen how many hours and how much energy they dedicate to the ward, running surgeries, doing casework, and always being ready to serve.

Local councillors must be, root and branch, part of the community. My promise to the people of Haverstock, should I be elected, is that I would always stand with them and fight for them.

GAIL McANENA WOOD