Linda Chung selected as LibDem candidate for Hampstead Town by-election on 7 July

The Liberal Democrats are to field former councillor and community campaigner Linda Chung in the Hampstead Town by-election.

Her selection confirmed last night (Thursday) means the party will have one of its best known local members at the front of the contest - which looks set to be a rare three-way race.

She told the New Journal: "I haven't really stopped being away. I've just always loved that community involvement and loved working together with residents, but as a councillor you have more of a mandate to do that than as a citizen."

The by-election was called just 21 days after the boroughwide Camden Council elections. Adrian Cohen - the first ever Labour winner in the ward - decided he did not have the time to serve as a councillor.

Labour, who hold 47 of the 55 seats in the council chamber, must now try and convince voters in Hampstead Town that they merit a second chance with a new candidate.

The Tories already hold the other seat in the ward through Stephen Stark, but the Liberal Democrats too had enjoyed success here.

Ms Chung has always been a thorn in the Conservatives' side: she polled more than 2,000 votes in 2010 on her last election win in the ward and only narrowly lost her seat in 2014 against the backdrop of the party's national coalition with the Tories.

"I know what I'm getting into," she said. "I know how to help give residents a voice - and that's what I really want to do. I want to see the return of residents' neighbourhood forums where residents have the opportunity to question and challenge what the council is doing."

Ms Chung said she did not want to win the by-election in order to simply sling insults across the chamber and favoured a more considered approach.

"There's no point in just having a loud voice and slagging everything off," she said. "We need to work together to get the best opportunities for all residents across Camden. And we need more voices in the chamber. We can't have the council getting complacent because there are so many Labour councillors and just deciding to do things because they say so and nothing else matters."

Editor: Good Luck to Linda on 7 July! If you would like to support Linda in any way please feel free to get in touch, email: info@chineselibdems.org.uk