Harrow’s Labour party has announced its candidate for the forthcoming West Harrow by-election.

Christine Robson, of Hillside Crescent, Harrow, will stand at the election which is to take place on February 21.

Ms Robson, who works for the NHS, has lived in Harrow since 1980.

Her son, Joshua, was a pupil at Vaughan Primary School and then at Whitmore High School.

Ms Robson said: “I am honoured to have been chosen to represent Labour in this by-election and look forward to campaigning hard on the issues that matter most to fellow local residents. 

“I know that many people in West Harrow are finding their family budgets ever more squeezed as wages aren’t going up but fare prices and energy bills have shot up.

“As someone who works for the NHS, I understand the importance of protecting quality public services.

“Here in Harrow we’ve seen the recent cuts to the police resulting in 20 per cent fewer officers on our streets – which is so very damaging to our community.

“So in the next few weeks, I will be working hard to send a message to the Tory-led government that now is not the right time to be cutting police on our streets.”

Gareth Thomas MP said: “I am delighted that Christine has been selected to be the candidate for the West Harrow by-election.

“Christine has lived in Harrow for 33 years and would be an excellent representative for Harrow residents.”

The election is being held to find a replacement for Brian Gate who resigned after he was cautioned by the police for being in possession of indecent images.

Mr Gate was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for two years.