Martin has lived in Battersea for over 30 years, and since 1997 has been its local MP. He was previously a journalist for several national newspapers, including The Daily Mail and The Guardian. 

In Parliament, Martin recently led a successful campaign for a referendum on a more modern, fairer voting system to be held in the next year. 

He has twice led campaigns to save Battersea Arts Centre from closure by the Conservative council; and is currently fighting for improved local transport links, a new school and legislation banning dangerous dogs in order to tackle anti-social behaviour.

During Martin’s time in Parliament, he has helped 25,000 local people through his weekly surgeries and parliamentary casework. 

As well as domestic politics, Martin is concerned about peace and justice in Israel and Palestine and is Chair of Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East; and since working as an MP, has visited Israel and Gaza three times campaigning for peace talks. 

Martin lives in Battersea with his wife and two step-daughters, as well as having two grown-up daughters. He has run the London Marathon twice and cycles to work in Westminster; and as of last year he was named as the 13th lowest spending MP in Parliament. 

He was educated at the Universities of Oxford and Lyon, speaks three European languages, supports Fulham FC, and plays the trumpet.

Neil Coburn has lived in Northcote ward for four years, after 'relocating' from north London. He is managing director of a rapidly expanding marketing consultancy based in Holborn, and commutes daily on his bicycle. His wife, Jane, is a paediatric consultant at the Brompton Hospital in Chelsea. They have two young children at Honeywell Infant School. 

Like many parents with children at the local primary schools, Neil is concerned about the lack of secondary school places nearby, and if elected will lobby the Council leadership to address this issue.

Neil is actively involved in Neighbourhood Watch, and has interests in promoting small independent businesses in the area, to maintain the vibrant mix that Northcote Road offers, while putting the needs of local residents at the forefont.

Lived in Northcote Ward for the last 40 years, and sent all his five children to local schools, Clapham County and Sir Walter St John .

Harvey has been active in the Northcote area over a long period being on the Police Ward, SNT, meetings since their inception and the Clapham Junction Partnership Board. Harvey chairs the Northcote Road Residents Action Group that has been very active trying to protect the individual traders in the Road. He organized a 7,000 signatures petition and has represented residents views to the council, and persuaded the council to set up a study of the issues.  However this reported some eighteen months ago and there has been very little development since.

Harvey believes the lack of secondary school provision in the area is an important issue.  

Shalu Kanal moved to Battersea in 2004, after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, where she completed a Masters in Politics. She grew up in Brighton, where her parents practised medicine. Following in their footsteps, Shalu is a communications consultant in the healthcare industry. 

In 2008, Shalu moved to New York City, and campaigned for both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. She also worked for a large children’s charity in the city. 

Shalu enjoys singing and fashion in her spare time, and is a big fan of the TV show, The West Wing.  She is first and foremost an environmentalist, and campaigns on climate change and sustainability issues.