Emily Benn, the 24-year-old granddaughter of the late Labour stalwart Tony Benn, has been selected as the Labour candidate for Croydon South in the next general election. She aims to become the fifth generation of her family to sit in the House of Commons.
Ms Benn, who was elected as a councillor in Croydon this year, faces a significant challenge to overturn a Conservative majority of 15,818 held by the retiring Sir Richard Ottaway. In 2010, she unsuccessfully contested the East Worthing and Shoreham seat.
Her father, Stephen, is Tony Benn's eldest son. Her great-grandfather William Wedgwood Benn and her great-great-grandfathers, Sir John Williams Benn and Daniel Homes, were also MPs. Her uncle, Hilary Benn, currently serves as an MP.
Ms Benn said she was 'delighted and honoured' to have been selected, adding: 'It's obviously a challenge for Labour, but I firmly believe that there should be no 'no-go' areas.' She dismissed suggestions that her famous surname influenced her selection, calling it 'insulting'.
The selection comes amid criticism from Prime Minister David Cameron, who last month described Labour's political dynasties as 'the same families with the same message', referring to other high-profile candidates such as Will Straw and Stephen Kinnock.
