TWO prominent Barnet Labour party figures are set to battle it out in a bid to win the party nomination for the Barnet and Camden London Assembly seat.

West Finchley Councillor Kath McGuirk has thrown her name into the ring for the nomination for the spot alongside ex-Hendon MP Andrew Dismore.

The pair are up against two party members from Camden and one Brent councillor.

Labour view the seat, held by Conservative Brian Coleman, as a key target if they are to seal a majority in the Assembly at next May’s polls.

The nomination will go to the candidate who gets the most votes from the party members in the five Parliamentary constituencies covered by the seat.

Cllr McGuirk, who failed in her bid to claim the Hornchurch and Upminster Parliamentary seat at the elections last May, said she was “interested in taking on a bigger role and responsibilities”.

She said: “I’ve been a councillor since 1994. I’m passionate about London, I’ve been a Londoner all my life and I think this area is natural territory for me. I have grown up and lived in both boroughs and I’ve got something to contribute.

“Barnet and Camden residents need someone who actually understands them. As the only woman in the race and a mother I know there are certain issues other candidates may not get.

“For example free bus travel for kids under 18 in education is absolutely vital and I will be fighting to protect things like that.”

Mr Dismore, who served as Hendon MP for 13 years until he lost to Matthew Offord by 106 votes last May, declared his interest in the role last December.

In a blog on his newly-relaunched website he sets out reasons he claims he is best placed to beat Mr Coleman, saying he would use his “high profile” to “maximise the vote” across the two boroughs.

Hustings for the role are due to take place in April, with a final decision on the candidate expected by the end of next month.