Camden councillor Thomas Gardiner is the latest name to enter the Labour selection race to replace outgoing Holborn and St Pancras MP Frank Dobson at next year’s general election.

The Kilburn councillor, who was first elected to the council in 2010, today confirmed he would stand for selection as Labour’s parliamentary candidate in Holborn and St Pancras next year.

Last month, Mr Dobson announced he will stand down after 35 years as MP for the constituency.

Candidates who have already confirmed they will stand in the Labour selection race include Camden Council leader, Cllr Sarah Hayward, former director of public prosecutions Sir Keir Starmer, NHS consultant Dr Patrick French, former Camden Council leader Raj Chada and West Hampstead councillor Angela Pober.

Cllr Gardiner said: “I am confirming my intention to run for selection in Holborn and St Pancras as I think we need a serious contender to continue the tradition of everyday, practical socialism which Frank Dobson has always represented.

“I was born in Camden and have lived in the borough all my life - I grew up in Camden Council housing, went to Camden state schools, I even went to university in the borough.

“I understand life as an ordinary Camden person - it will be important for our candidate not to just see our borough through a political prism.

“I did not want to campaign for the role before Frank had announced his intentions, both out of respect for him and in the hope that he might continue.”

All prospective candidates must now wait until a timetable for selection is drawn up between Holborn and St Pancras Labour Party and the national party before submitting their candidacy.