The Labour Party has selected two of its parliamentary candidates in the county for next year’s General Election.

Medway has chosen national charity worker Cllr Naushabah Khan to contest MP Rehman Chishti’s seat in Gillingham and Rainham and fellow councillor Lauren Edwards, a money expert, will take on Kelly Tolhurst in Rochester and Strood.

Naushabah, who has served on the unitary authority for eight years, works for a leading charity tackling homelessness.

The keen kick boxer said: “It is a real honour to be selected as the parliamentary candidate for Gillingham and Rainham. The place that I was born in, grew up in and still call my home.

“There are many challenges across Gillingham and Rainham and over a decade of a Tory government has had a significant impact on our area, with people suffering under a cost-of-living crisis, challenges in the housing market and inequalities in healthcare.”

Naushabah, who has worked n business and PR, added: ”I am ambitious for future and working alongside a Labour Council, I pledge to be a strong a voice in Parliament, working tirelessly for the community in order to deliver new opportunities.”

Naushabah was selected as a candidate for Rochester and Strood in the 2013 election. She is currently cabinet member for housing and property on the council.

Lauren Edwards has represented Rochester on the council since 2021 following a by-election.

A former financial regulator at the Bank of England, she is a strong supporter of the local business community. She has a history of fighting for better public transport, properly-funded public services and action to tackle climate change.

She said: “I will give the people of Rochester and Strood a strong voice in Westminster and be committed to bringing more investment to our area, unlike the incumbent Conservative MP who recently welcomed the removal of £170 million of government funding from the constituency.

“There is so much potential in Rochester and Strood, but thirteen years of a Conservative MP and government have taken their toll. Many feel the system no longer works in their favour, with people struggling with basic services like getting GP appointments and our NHS almost at breaking point.

“I will offer a positive alternative vision for Rochester and Strood, focused on creating good jobs for local people, better-quality housing, and safer and healthier communities.”

Lauren is currently cabinet member for economic and social regeneration and inward investment.