Councillor Rachael Saunders seeking to be Labour’s nominee for Tower Hamlets Mayor

Tower Hamlets could have its first female Mayor if the latest contender to announce their intention to win Labour’s nomination is successful.

Cllr Rachael Saunders, who serves the ward of Mile End East, is putting her name forward for selection to be Labour’s candidate at the 2014 election.

Announcing her bid, Cllr Saunders said: “Our community deserves better than the cronyism and incompetence we’ve had from the Town Hall recently – it’s time to move Tower Hamlets forward.”

She was first elected as a councillor in November 2008 and said she will focus on bringing more jobs to the borough.

“Tower Hamlets has the highest rates of child poverty in the UK but is the borough with the greatest growth potential in London.

“When we face such huge challenges but have a community of such extraordinary potential we need a Mayor who will lead for the whole of Tower Hamlets and focus on getting our people into work.”

Labour will announce its chosen candidate in April following a selection process by the local Party. The only other candidate to publicly announce their bid so far is John Biggs, London Assembly Member for City and East.