AS part of our build-up to the General Election on May 6 the Times Series is featuring a candidate profile for each of the main candidates in the three constituencies in Barnet.

Today we focus on Damien Welfare, the Labour Party candidate for the Chipping Barnet constituency.

For comprehensive election coverage, click here.

A BARRISTER by trade Damien Welfare is hoping it is second time lucky for him standing in the Chipping Barnet constituency after an unsuccessful bid in 2001.

The 52-year-old, who was called to the bar in 2001 and now specialises in work in the realm of local authority, information and parliamentary aspects of law, after a career in local government.

From 1997 to 1998 he was the special adviser to Leader of the House of Lords, Lord Ivor Richards, in helping to formulate the reforms to the second chamber. He is now the co-ordinator of the campaign for a democratic upper house.

He was born and bought up in London and attended Cambridge University. He now lives in Blackheath, south London and is married with two young children.

His five key election pledges are: -The Economy; Ensuring the recovery is not damaged by the Tory proposals to cut spending now rather than when the recession ends.

-Climate Change; Supporting the implementation of international agreements on climate change and securing a ‘green revolution’ in public services -Heathcare; Ensuring that we build on the enormous improvements in recent years with the introduction of guaranteed rights to see a cancer specialist within two weeks and to see a GP in the evenings and weekends.

-Crime; To oppose The London Mayors threatened cuts in policing, especially ensuring the continuation of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams, which have revolutionised policing on the ground and contributed to crime falling by up to a third in parts of Barnet.

-Barnet Council; Opposing the unfair Tory ‘easyCouncil’ plans which will introduce a two-tiered system for local services.