The Liberal Democrats have become the first party to unveil their candidate for the Hampstead and Kilburn parliamentary seat.

Following private hustings on Tuesday night, Lib Dem members voted Emily Frith to fight for the marginal seat, which Glenda Jackson narrowly won at the last general election.

Ms Frith, from Blackheath in south London, describes herself as a “freelance campaigner for a prison reform charity and dyslexia charity”. She previously worked as a health advisor in the Lib Dems’ central policy and research unit for four years.

She said: “I am delighted to be chosen to represent the Liberal Democrats in Hampstead and Kilburn. There is everything to play for here in this, the closest three-way marginal in the country. We are campaigning to win.

“I will fight for the credible economic plan Labour cannot deliver and the fairness in government the Conservatives won’t deliver.”

The Conservatives are holding an open vote on January 30 to decide their candidate. Labour has not yet started its selection process, although Ms Jackson MP has ruled out defending her seat.