A barrister who has advised Labour’s front bench on legal aid and the badger cull has vowed to win back Finchley and Golders Green from the Conservatives at the next general election.
Newly selected parliamentary candidate Sarah Sackman has said she is “ready for the fight” and will be campaigning hard on the economy in the lead up to the next general election.
The barrister won the Labour nomination for Finchley and Golders Green with a clear majority of votes after a hustings held at Finchley Progressive Synagogue on Sunday.
She beat competitors Alon Or-Bach and Catherine Tuitt with more than half of the votes cast by local party members.
Ms Sackman said: “I’m delighted that Labour members have put their trust in me.
“Local residents are being hit hard by the Tories’ failing policies and are seeing their costs of living soar.
“They need someone they can count on to fight for the issues they care about.
“Our campaign for Finchley and Golders Green starts here”
The seat, formerly part of the Finchley constituency represented by Margaret Thatcher from 1959 to 1992, is currently held by Tory MP Mike Freer who was elected in 2010.
Before that Labour’s Rudi Vis held the seat for eight years.
Ms Sackman said her campaign to take back the constituency for Labour would focus on the economy, school places and affordable housing.
“Economic issues are going to be front and centre of the campaign, especially the cost of living,” she said. “We have to look at childcare provision, rail fares and rents.
“All this affects people locally.”
Ms Sackman was born and grew up in East Finchley, attending South Hampstead High School and now lives in Kentish Town with her husband, Dan Squires, a human rights lawyer.
After reading history at Queens’ College, Cambridge, Ms Sackman trained for the Bar and currently practices as a barrister specialising in public, planning and environmental law.
She has advised Labour’s front bench team on issues including legal aid and the controversial badger cull.
She also advised and represented campaigners in court in the successful fight to save Friern Barnet Library.
Conservative opponent Mr Freer said Ms Sackman “would have her work cut out” in the lead up to the election.
“I wish her well and hope we have a good clean fight,” he said.
“It’s disappointing only three people seemed to think it was worth having a go, which doesn’t suggest there is a lot of confidence in the Labour Party.”
He said the cost of living, Labour’s mansion tax and policing would be key issues for his campaign in the lead up to the 2015 election.
Mr Freer said: “The opinion polls suggest it will be a tighter race than a year ago but when I go out knocking on doors I am not finding great enthusiasm for Labour.
“Sarah will have her work cut out.”
But Ms Sackman said she was “raring to go”.
She said: “The Tories in Barnet have been responsible for One Barnet and the shambles over parking.
“The record speaks for itself and makes my job a lot easier. I am ready for the fight.”
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