Source names two candidates for women-only shortlist

Candidates have thrown their hat into the ring in the hope of becoming the Labour MP for the coveted Hampstead and Kilburn ward.

Councillors in Camden and Hackney have been outlined as the potential front runners as the race to be the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) gathers pace.

According to a source, the front runners for the women-only shortlist are Cllr Tulip Siddiq, a Highgate ward councillor and Cllr Sophie Linden, a Hackney councillor for the Dalston ward.

Cllr Sally Gimson, another Highgate ward councillor has also been outlined as a potential candidate.

The constituency was marginally retained by Labour’s Glenda Jackson at the 2010 general election with a majority of just 42 and has been earmarked as a key battleground by the Conservative party, who have already selected Hampstead Town Cllr Simon Marcus as their candidate.

The constituency has been outlined by the Labour party as one of their all women shortlists.

In February, the Liberal Democrat’s PPC resigned just a month after she was picked.

Emily Frith said she was unable to continue as a candidate after being offered a ‘politically-restricted’ job in the government.

The party has yet to announce a replacement.

Ms Jackson, a former Oscar winning actress will stand down at the 2015 general election.

The PPC is expected to be announced in mid July.