Barnet Labour have selected legal aid solicitor and campaigner, Linda Lusingu as their candidate in the East Barnet by-election to be held on 6 May.

Linda represents some of the most vulnerable people in her work as a solicitor, dealing with many cases involving violence against women and girls.  She has been a school governor, volunteered at law centres and for the Citizens Advice Bureau. She sits on education appeal panels, volunteers for the ‘Rights of Women’ advice line and, during the pandemic, joined residents to deliver medication and provide food to our hard-working NHS staff.

The by-election has been called following the resignation of Labour councillor, Jo Cooper, who is standing down as a councillor due to the demands of her job as a frontline NHS worker.

Linda Lusingu said: “I am honoured to be selected as Labour’s candidate for East Barnet. From a young age, I have wanted to make a difference in my community and to people’s lives.

“I want to fight for East Barnet, contribute to the local community and get action on the issues that matter to residents.

“My immediate priority will be to campaign to make sure the Government do not impose the massive development at the former gas works site that has been rejected by local people, the Mayor of London and the Planning Committee.

“Also, to get action to clean up our streets, stop the Council’s plan for solar farms and battery storage units on our parks and open spaces, and for sufficient funding for St Margaret’s Nursery School and Brookhill Nursery School.

“Ending violence against women and girls is a subject close to my heart, and one that I deal with in my day-to-day work as a legal aid solicitor. More needs to be done to make our streets safer for women and girls by tackling street harassment, and the behaviours that lead to domestic abuse and sexual violence against women and girls.

“I pledge to be an active, visible and campaigning councillor for all East Barnet residents, taking up and championing the causes that matter to local people. Please do get in touch if you want me to take up any local issues.”

Leader of the Barnet Labour Group, Cllr Barry Rawlings said: “I am delighted to announce Linda as our candidate for the East Barnet by-election taking place on 6 May.

“Linda will make a great councillor and advocate for the residents of East Barnet. Her experience as a solicitor, taking up cases for people in need of help and support, will be invaluable for dealing with local issues, case work, and championing the causes that matter to residents.

“I want to pay tribute to Jo, who is standing down and has been an extremely hardworking East Barnet councillor for the last three years. She has been a wonderful colleague and will be missed.”

Ends.

Notes: For more information about Linda and what Labour are campaigning on in East Barnet see:

https://www.barnetlabour.org.uk/east-barnet-by-election-newsletter/