A councillor running to become the new leader of the Barnet Labour Group hopes to “restore a sense of community” to the area if elected.

Councillor for Coppetts, Barry Rawlings has been the group’s deputy leader for the last five years, but now hopes to secure leadership at a vote on December 3.

West Finchley Cllr Ross Houston also hopes to become the next leader.

The 68-year-old promises to reverse the “shocking” housing situation in the borough and hopes to create a “healthier, greener and more prosperous Barnet.”

He said: “I would like to get a Labour council together to reverse the devastation that has been caused under the Conservatives.

“I think the conservatives have damaged the borough so we need to create a council that works with residents.

“We need to restore a sense of community that has been lost in Barnet through Conservative actions.”

Cllr Rawlings, who lives on Aidans Court, North Finchley, joined the party on his 18th birthday in 1975.

He was involved in petitioning the council to reopen the Friern Barnet Library after it was closed due to cuts in 2012. It was eventually reopened in 2013 after extensive campaigning. He has also worked on improving children's services in the borough.

Speaking about the housing crisis he said: “Barnet is becoming more of a dormitory town, with people leaving to work in central London during the week.

“It is important to have a public service ethos. We can do a lot more together rather than focusing on privatisation and markets. Markets are important, but not the solution to everything.”

He added: “For me, we are not individuals in market and we can do more to reduce inequality and help improve the lives of more disadvantaged people. We can help to get more people into work and do more to support people.”