A Haringey councillor has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate to stand in the Finchley and Golders Green constituency at the next general election.

Laura Edge, 30, has vowed to free residents in the constituency from “tired” two-party politics.

Labour’s Rudi Vis, who has held the seat for two terms, announced last year he intends to step down when the next general election is called so he can spend more time with his family.

Campaigner Ms Edge works as a housing solicitor for a legal aid firm providing advice and representation to some of the most vulnerable in society. She has also volunteered at Barnet Citizens Advice Bureau.

Ms Edge said: “I believe the voters are looking for an alternative to the tired old ways of the other two parties. I am excited at the prospect of making a real difference.

“The Labour Party nationally and the Tory party locally have shown they are out of touch with ordinary people. I will bring a new enthusiasm, a fresh spark, and real commitment to the residents of Finchley and Golders Green.”

In the 2005 election, the Conservatives lost by a slim margin of 741 votes. Conservatives view the coming election as their opportunity to reclaim the historically Tory seat — which was held by Margaret Thatcher from 1959 to 1992. Nationally, Conservative support has climbed by 11 points since the last general election, and Labour is down two per cent.

And a recent YouGov opinion poll forecasts further woes for Labour. The poll shows the Tories on 43 per cent against Labour’s 37 per cent.

The Lib Dems are on 13 per cent — a drop of nine per cent from 2005.

Council leader Mike Freer, hoping to claim the Finchley and Golders Green seat as his own, said: “I welcome the latest contender, but this will remain a two-way fight with Labour.

“I will continue to work for every vote. Anyone who knows me knows I am a worker and that is what this constituency needs.”