Mops at the ready — they’ll need to wipe the blood from the floor once Camden councillors are done battling it out over who should replace MP Frank Dobson as the Labour candidate for Holborn and St Pancras.
In the running is council leader Sarah Hayward, who has run one of London’s most socio-economically diverse boroughs. She has the support of 20 fellow councillors who, according to the Camden New Journal, have signed a letter endorsing her candidacy. But she faces stiff competition from another councillor, self-styled socialist alternative Thomas Gardiner, and a former occupant of her job, lawyer Raj Chada. Both have declared their intent to challenge her.
However, all three may end up with a common enemy in the form of ex-Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer, who advises Labour on justice policy. He has said he wants to become an MP and has been spotted sniffing around constituency events with enthusiasm. The Londoner understands he has been promised the support of several Labour big-hitters. Could he defuse a bitter local battle by breezing into the seat?
