The Green Party has announced the candidates it hopes might unseat two Labour heavyweights at the next general election.

Camden Green Party chair David Stansell will be taking on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in Holborn and St Pancras, while former Labour councillor Lorna Jane Russell has been selected to stand in the new Hampstead and Highgate seat.

The new Hampstead and Highgate constituency has replaced Hampstead & Kilburn, held by Shadow Economic Secretary to the Treasury Tulip Siddiq MP.

David was the Green Party’s parliamentary candidate in Hampstead and Kilburn at the 2019 election, and last year stood as a council candidate in the Highgate ward.

He said: “The climate crisis is the most critical issue facing the country today and the Green Party is the only party with a real plan to tackle this.

This Is Local London: David Stansell, Green Party candidate for Holborn and St PancrasDavid Stansell, Green Party candidate for Holborn and St Pancras (Image: Green Party)

“The climate crisis is the most critical issue facing the country today and the Green Party is the only party with a real plan to tackle this.

"I am committed to working tirelessly to champion environmental causes and build a more sustainable future for our country.

"Together, we can create positive change and leave a healthier planet for future generations.”

This Is Local London: Lorna Jane Russell is a Green Party candidate for the new Hampstead & Highgate constituencyLorna Jane Russell is a Green Party candidate for the new Hampstead & Highgate constituency (Image: Green Party)

Lorna, who lives in the Holly Lodge Estate in Highgate, represented the Fortune Green ward from 2014-2022 as a Labour councillor, rising to be deputy mayor of Camden in her final year.

Lorna defected to the Green Party in 2021 and was a candidate in the South Hampstead by-election on June 1. 

She said she was "delighted" to be selected to stand for her "home seat".

She added: "I am passionate about our community here, having been a former councillor in the area and remaining active as chair of a local community centre in West Hampstead and as treasurer of my TRA in Highgate.

"I can’t wait to get stuck in and provide residents with a strong Green voice to vote for at the next election.”