A Labour member hoping to be the constituency’s challenger to Iain Duncan-Smith has been backed by the shadow chancellor.

Long-time union worker Jenny Lennox has received the support of John McDonnell, Jeremy Corbyn’s right-hand man, as she fights to become the party’s candidate in Chingford and Woodford Green.

While a General Election is not scheduled for the foreseeable future, the constituency is one of 100 that Labour believes it can take next time round after the incumbent Conservative MP only won a 2,000 vote majority in 2017.

More than 20 candidates have put their name forward, but only Ms Lennox has received support from the top of the party, having met Mr McDonnell through her union work.

In a video message, Mr McDonnell said: “Jenny is an excellent campaigner. I have known her over her years campaigning in her trade union and in the Labour Party.

“She is articulate and can get an argument across and I think she is the ideal person with her local knowledge and local background, and campaigning ability, to win this seat for Labour.

“I hope you’ll support her too.”

Ms Lennox, who describes herself as a socialist, believes Chingford and Woodford Green will be receptive to her leftist rhetoric and vision for the constituency.

She said: “It is going to be an area of big growth in terms of people that want to live here.

“There will be issues with housing provision and it is therefore really important that there is adequate council house building.

“There are also transport issues, particularly in Chingford. It has not been as well serviced as other parts of London.

“Improvement in the bus network and possibly a link to Stratford would be welcome.”

The local Labour party will chose its candidate following a meeting on July 15.