Published: 7 May 2013

By RICHARD OSLEY

THE Town Hall's leisure chief has set out her stall in the race to become Labour's parliamentary candidate in Hampstead and Kilburn.

Tulip Siddiq posted Lord Neil Kinnock at the top of her endorsers as she officially launched her campaign for selection.

Labour are searching for a candidate to defend a 42 vote majority in the north of the borough after Glenda Jackson's decision to step down at the next general election.

Journalist Fiona Millar stepped out of the selection race last week. Labour councillors Sally Gimson and Sophie Linden – Cllr Linden is on Hackney Council – have been linked with the role as well.

Cllr Siddiq unveiled her campaign website at the end of last week, including the endorsement from Lord Kinnock, who lives in Tufnell Park. He said: "I've known Tulip Siddiq for several years as a brave and determined campaigner for Labour's democratic socialist values and a very hard working elected representative of our Party."

MP Angela Eagle and Labour councillors Pat Callaghan and Sue Vincent are also backing her campaign. Cllr Siddiq said she would put the NHS at the heart of her campaigning and work to build a local coalition between community groups and trade unionists.

The party will name their candidate will be announced on July 14. The Conservatives, second in 2010, will field Hampstead councillor Simon Marcus.