A shadow cabinet member has spoken of his pride that an ex-serviceman is standing for Parliament in south-west Hertfordshire.

Labour's Vernon Coaker, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, launched Simon Diggin’s bid to win the seat in south west Hertfordshire on Thursday, April 9.

Mr Coaker, who is standing for re-election in Gedling, near Nottinghamshire, told Labour members at the William Morris Labour Club, Henbury Way, South Oxhey, he was “really proud a distinguished army officer” was standing for Parliament for Labour.

Simon Diggins OBE served in the British Army for more than 35 years.

The Labour shadow minister spoke about how the party was targeting other seats, but stressed they need to maximise "the Labour vote" in the constituency.

He said: "Obviously there are seats nearby in London and Watford that we want and need to win and I believe we have a good chance of winning in order for us to the government.

“It is important, having said what I just said about giving priority to the seats we need to win, that we give everybody in every seat in the country the chance to vote Labour.

“The issues facing you here are exactly the same as those facing those in other areas.

“In this area, isn’t it the case people still want their children to get a decent education, isn’t it the case they still want to know that if they are sick, they have the NHS to go to orelderly relatives can be properly looked after.”

All  six candidates standing for election are due to be put through their paces at a hustings in Rickmansworth on Monday.

The hustings is being held at the St Joan of Arc School, High Street and is due to start  at 7.30pm.