Welwyn Hatfield Labour parliamentary candidate Hannah McHugh believes she can be an "energising change" from Grant Shapps, as selection day draws near.

Ms McHugh is up against Andrew Lewin, Stuart Brady and Julian Vaughan, as they all vie to challenge Grant Shapps and the Conservatives for the MP seat.

The candidate will be chosen by Labour members on Saturday at Welwyn Garden City's Ludwick Centre, but Ms McHugh believes she will be an "energising change" and that political experience will be key, having already been elected as a councillor in Islington.

"I’m absolutely delighted to be shortlisted," she told the Welwyn Hatfield Times.

"There are too many people in Welwyn Hatfield who are in poor quality housing and are really suffering under the Conservative’s crisis economy.

READ MORE: Labour candidate keen to 'champion' Welwyn Hatfield as selection day looms

"I personally have the experience of winning elections against prominent Tories and Liberal Democrats, and I’ve also got a background representing the UK’s interests in Brussels through the Brexit negotiations.

"I am the only female candidate and I think I will be an energising change from Grant Shapps. I’ve got a very clear vision.

"This borough has one of the first garden cities, it revolutionised the aviation industry, and now it needs to be seen as a pioneering place of innovation and change.

"I’m really looking forward to working with local people, to make sure they have a voice, from having a functioning Local Plan to reinvigorating Hatfield town centre.

"I really believe that Labour can win here and I will be a fierce representative for Welwyn Hatfield in Parliament."

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Despite a lack of links to Welwyn Hatfield, Ms McHugh is keen to integrate herself as soon as possible, should she be selected.

"At the moment I’m a councillor in Islington, so I can’t push myself as a strongly local candidate, because I’m not, but I absolutely understand the concerns of the local area and the battles that are going on," she said. 

"I’ve got a strong national profile, chairing the Fabian Society’s Law and Constitution Policy work and from my work in Brussels.

"I would be moving to Welwyn Hatfield as soon as I can after being selected, and I want to become a part of that community quickly."