East Finchley’s new Labour councillor has pledged to fight for people he feels have been “let down” by Barnet’s Conservative group.

Arjun Mittra won the ward by-election with a landslide majority on Wednesday, meaning his party retained the seat vacated by Andrew McNeil earlier this year.

The new Barnet Council member received 2,117 votes (67.8 per cent) to join his party colleagues Alison Moore and Colin Rogers as the three ward representatives.

Cllr Mittra said: "I feel really honoured to have been elected. I look forward to working with local people to help them get the improvements to our area that they need.

“I believe Barnet’s Conservative council has let East Finchley residents down. It has not listened over parking charges, road safety and cuts to our children centres.

“The residents of East Finchley have sent a clear statement that it is Labour that is on their side."

Pledges set out by the new politician include fighting for a 20mph limit in Church Lane and supporting a campaign to save Stanley Road Playing Fields.

Labour group leader Councillor Alison Moore said: "Arjun will be a great addition to the Labour group and will make an excellent local councillor for East Finchley.

“However, this result was not just a rejection of the arrogant and dismissive Barnet Conservative administration, emphatic though it was. It's a clear statement that in tough times it's Labour who are on the side of ordinary residents, in East Finchley, in Barnet and across London."