A list of candidates has been revealed for the upcoming by-election in East Barnet.

Five candidates are vying to succeed Labour’s Jo Cooper, who stepped down from her role as ward councillor in March due to work commitments in the NHS.

Local elections were postponed following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, amid concerns over its impact on campaigning and voting.

But with lockdown restrictions gradually being lifted, voters in London will head to the polls on Thursday, May 6, to take part in by-elections, which will run alongside the mayoral and London Assembly contests.

The candidates for the East Barnet by-election are:

  • Gabrielle Louise Bailey – Green Party
  • Sean James Hooker – Liberal Democrats
  • Linda Lusingu – Labour Party
  • Alex Merola – The For Britain Movement
  • Nicole Alison Richer – Conservative Party

The 2018 local elections were a close-run contest in East Barnet, with Cllr Cooper only 144 votes ahead of the nearest Conservative candidate.

Barnet Council is currently made up of 36 Conservative councillors, 23 Labour members and two Liberal Democrats, with two vacant positions.

More information about the upcoming elections and the different methods available to vote, including registering for a postal vote, is available at: www.barnet.gov.uk/elections