The deputy leader of Ealing Council and Cabinet Member for climate action, Councillor Deirdre Costigan has been selected to be the Labour candidate for Ealing Southall in the forthcoming general election on 4 July 2024.
Councillor Costigan, who currently represents the Northolt Mandeville ward, replaces Virendra Sharma who after 17 years decided to step down earlier this week (27 May 2024).
Mr Sharma become MP in 2007 following a by-election triggered by the death of MP Piara Khabra.
At the last election in 2019, Mr Sharma had a majority of 16,084 over the Conservatives.
Councillor Costigan, currently works for trade union UNISON where she is a national officer.
Announcing her bid to become MP, Concillor Costigan said: “I am delighted to be standing for Labour in Ealing Southall. With Keir Starmer at the helm, Labour is back in the service of working people. We will put an end to 14 years of Tory chaos and decline with a plan for national renewal, built on a bedrock of economic stability.”
She added: “Only a Labour government can deliver the change we need to take back our streets, get the NHS back on its feet, break down barriers to opportunity and get Britain building again.”
Posting on X, Ealing Council leader Councillor Peter Mason said: “I’m so pleased for my friend, colleague and the most formidable deputy leader you could wish for. Congratulations @deirdrecostigan – you will be incredible.”
Other candidates who have been formerly announced and are standing in the 4 July 2024 General Election for Ealing Southall are:
Georgie Callé (Conservative and Unionist Party)
Pedro Da Conceicao (Independent)
Steve Chilcott (Reform UK)
Tariq Mahmood (Liberal Democrats)
Neil Reynolds (Green Party)
