Barnet’s Labour party have selected charity worker Jessica Brayne to stand in the Underhill council by-election on May 5.

Following the resignation of Councillor Amy Trevethan, the Labour party members believe Ms Brayne, who has lived in Barnet since 2011, will be a great addition.

Ms Brayne works as an engagement officer at Equality Challenge Unit, a charity that supports the higher education sector to advance equality and diversity for staff and students.

She is also the secretary of Chipping Barnet Labour Party.

Ms Brayne’s priorities for Underhill include; addressing parking issues and residents’ concerns, fighting for more affordable housing and ensuring there are suitable facilities for young people in the community.

Ms Brayne is delighted to be chosen, and says she it thankful for her father’s encouragement to be interested in politics from a young age.

She said: “I will be focusing my campaign on protecting local services for everyone, and making sure the council listens to residents. My father was a social worker and always encouraged me to be interested in politics and community activism.

“He clearly had a big impact on me as when I was ten I organised a protest at school to allow girls to use the playing field which was only used for cricket and football - happily, we won, and I have never lost that desire to stand up for equality.

"Getting involved in my local community and the Labour movement was always a given - here was this group of people whose main motivation was creating a better place to live for their communities. These are my values too, and this is why I want to stand as a councillor."

Leader of the Barnet Labour Group, Cllr Barry Rawlings said having known Ms Brayne for several years, he believes she will be a hard-working and great councillor for Underhill.

The Conservative party are believed to have chosen Lesley Evans as their candidate for the Underhill ward.