Labour pick candidate for Ealing Central and Acton seat

Labour's announced the candidate it will be fielding for the Ealing Central and Acton parliamentary seat.

Former Deputy Mayor of Ealing, Rupa Huq, has been chosen to fight the key marginal against current MP, Conservative Angie Bray.

The seat was created in 2010 to replace the old Ealing, Acton and Shepherds Bush seat.

Previously it had been held by Labour, but the removal of Shepherd's Bush left the new seat a tight three-way marginal - won in the last election by the Conservatives.

Dr Rupa Huq is a writer, columnist and senior lecturer at Kingston University. She is the older sister of former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq.

She said:

“I am absolutely delighted to have been chosen as Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Ealing Central & Acton at the next General Election.

“The constituency needs an MP that is prepared to speak up on the issues that matter, to challenge the cuts, to challenge hospital closures rather than roll over and accept the health secretary’s empty assurances, and to fight to revitalise our local high streets and regenerate our communities. I will always stand up for our local communities and fight for a fair deal for Ealing Central & Acton.

''From Southfield to the South Acton estate, from East Acton to the heart of Hanger Hill and on to Ealing, Walpole and more we’ll be out talking to local residents about what matters to them and campaigning day in day out to deliver on the issues that really count.

“I’ll be at the forefront of Labour’s campaign to challenge the Tory-led government’s cuts and bring hope back to our local communities and look forward to speaking up in parliament for the people of Ealing Central & Acton.

Steve Donnelly, chair of Ealing Central & Acton CLP, said:

“Rupa won out from a strong field of candidates wanting to represent the constituency and I look forward to campaigning with her, week in and week out, to win back the seat for Labour.”

Current MP for the seat, Angie Bray said: '' Well done Rupa. Rupa is a well known local Labour activist and I've always got on well with her - she even invited me to the launch of her book in Parliament which I was happy to attend. I'm looking forward to a challenging but civilised electoral contest in 2015 and I hope my record of work with the local community will stand me in good stead."

Ealing Councillor, Jon Ball, who will be standing as the Lib Dem candidate for the seat says: "I congratulate Rupa Huq on her selection. I get on well with her personally and am sure she will be a strong contender. However, I can't help noting that she has previously stood for election to Europe, Westminster and Ealing Council all without success. With my record of action for local people as an elected councillor, I feel I am better placed to take Ealing Central & Acton in 2015."

4th November 2013