An internationally-recognised expert on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, with more than 30 years experience in the field, has been selected to stand for the Green Party in Hampstead and Kilburn.
Dr Rebecca Johnson, who used to live in Kilburn, will contest the seat and campaign to become the constituency’s MP at the general election next May.
The Greens are the fourth party to select a parliamentary candidate for the hotly contested seat, as the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats have already had contenders in place for more than a year.
Dr Johnson, who now lives in Hackney, said: “I got to know this constituency when I volunteered for Glenda Jackson’s campaign in 1992. I’ve been talking to local people, and have heard them highlight the need for more affordable housing, finding environmentally sustainable alternatives to the dam nonsense that will protect both Hampstead Heath and homes from flooding, and defending local businesses and homes against the folly of High Speed 2, while supporting the re-nationalisation of our rail services, on which so many of us depend. “In standing for the Greens, I will work for these goals and a raft of other policies to protect our environment and secure fair distribution of resources to help all of London’s communities, especially our most disadvantaged citizens.”
Dr Johnson holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and is executive director of the Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy.
She is vice-president of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, works on international security with the UN and is co-chair of left-of-centre pressure group Compass Greens.
A frequent commentator on BBC and CNN, she has written many reports and articles on security, disarmament, diplomacy and civil society, including the nuclear non-proliferation regime and fallacies of nuclear deterrence.
Natalie Bennett, Green Party Leader, said: “Throughout Camden voters are looking for a credible alternative to the three business-as-usual parties, and Rebecca will be a brilliant new Green voice for Hampstead and Kilburn.”
The Greens won 1.4 per cent of the vote in Hampstead and Kilburn at the last general election.
At the local elections in May the party took 15.69 per cent of the vote in Camden, up from 10.9 per cent in 2010.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here