Although I couldn’t attend the hustings (parliamentary debate and votes on the Lisbon Treaty), I am delighted to say that we have selected a fantastic candidate to fight the Highgate ward by-election.

Rachel Allison is our choice to be the next councillor for Highgate and Archway. She is a worker, with a passion and a knowledge for the local area and the drive and determination to make a difference for local people on the council.

Rachel is intimately involved with the life of Highgate and Archway. She has lived in Claremont Road, Highgate for twelve years – having first moved to Haringey in 1986. Her children attend St Michael’s Primary, and she has recently been appointed as a Governor of Blanche Neville, another Highgate school.

Rachel cares passionately about the environment – double points for that as it is a crucial issue for myself too! She has an allotment on Shepherds Hill, drives a hybrid car and is a member of Friends of the Earth and the Organic Association.

With a hugely varied career and range of talents, Rachel has worked as a freelance video producer and copywriter – but her skills don’t end there. She has recently created a cold sore remedy!

So – off we go. It’s fantastic to have such an amazing candidate step forward for the area. Lots of doors to knock on and leaflets to deliver through till polling day!