Ham&High reporter Kate Ferguson takes a look at some of the possible candidates for the Labour leadership

Sarah Hayward

A King’s Cross councillor and rising star in the Town Hall chamber, Sarah Hayward remains the only person to announce her intention to stand.

Elected in 2010 and made lead member for community, regeneration and equalities soon after, Cllr Hayward has stamped her mark in Camden by taking the lead in campaigning against the HS2 rail link.

She told the Ham&High “It would never be an easy decision to launch a challenge and it is not a decision I take lightly.

“There are some very significant challenges. The economic situation and making sure that everyone in Camden benefits from the prosperity and jobs that exist in Camden at the moment. There are a number of threats the government poses the council.”

Theo Blackwell

Gospel Oak councillor and finance boss, Cllr Blackwell has left the door open to a leadership bid.

Since being given a senior cabinet post in 2010, Cllr Blackwell has taken the lead in outlining the Town Hall’s biggest ever property sell-off under the Community Investment Project.

He is a keen advocate of new investment in council homes and schools.

He has been quick to praise Cllr Nash Ali’s leadership, and said: “In opposition Nash stepped up and helped the party back in power even though he had a young family.

“Despite all of the hard decisions we had to make, Nash threw his energies into working collaboratively and always with good nature.”

He added: “We now have a good opportunity to debate our future priorities openly and with equal good nature.”

Julian Fulbrook

Holborn and Convent Garden councillor and housing chief, Cllr Fulbrook would be a popular choice among his Labour colleagues.

Widely praised for his intelligent approach to policies and skillful oration, he is considered a strong candidate for a council keen to reassert its standing nationally.

Cllr Fulbrook has ruled himself out of the leadership contest, but has not yet thrown his support behind anyone else.

As the councillor himself says – you should expect the unexpected in politics.