James Potts wants to be a councillor after the vacancy left by departing council leader Kaya Comer-Schwartz

A GAME show contestant is vying for a spot in the Town Hall.

Labour by-election candidate James Potts knows how to handle the spotlight after once appearing on ITV’s quiz The Chase.

He still has ambitions to take on the challenge of tough BBC show, Only Connect, but he currently has his hands full in the Junction ward where voters go to the polls later this month.

His party are looking to defend the seat in the council chamber left vacant by departing Islington leader Kaya Comer-Schwartz, who quit to take a job with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Despite Labour’s huge stranglehold on power at the Town Hall, activists have been doorknocking every night for Mr Potts’ campaign in a bid to ensire there is no slip-up.

Mr Potts said the effort was not a sign of nervousness about the result, adding: “We’re not nervous about it. Not at all. This is the standard thing we do when we have a by-election, not just to find out if people are still voting Labour, but to pick up on those local issues and make sure people’s views are heard.”

Labour is facing its traditional rivals in Islington, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats, but also two independent candidates.

The Tribune has previously interviewed Dr Brian Potter, the campaigner for leaseholders, and Jackson Caines, who has secured an endorsement from MP Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Potts said that although he “appreciates residents are frustrated” with the Labour-run council, especially with regards to housing concerns, voting for any other party would mean residents are “missing out”.

He told the Tribune: “We have to start delivering now. Having a Labour council, a Labour mayor and a Labour government, we can maximise this political alignment. I’d say to people in Junction ward, having a local representative means you can directly feed into that.”

He added: “I will be able to advocate directly to the Labour government, and because we’re all part of the same party, they’re more likely to listen to us. Having a seat at the table is really important.”

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While council elections can be an opportunity for voters to express dissatisfaction with national government, many will focus on hyper-local issues when deciding which candidate gets their vote.

The proposed development at Archway – likened by critics to Tolkien’s Eye of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings – has attracted much controversy, with widespread local opposition to the plans for the luxury student accommodation. Independent candidate Mr Caines has made opposing the plans a pillar of his campaign, with Green candidate Devon Osborne also speaking out against the application.

But Mr Potts, who works as a planning consultant said any decisions are best left to the council’s planning chiefs. “The proposal in its current form, officers will take a view of it. I want to see the highest level of social housing, and the highest level of community develop­ment,” he said.

“I understand some of the concerns. People have views on both sides. No decisions have been made yet.”

Mr Potts added that it would be a “real honour” to represent Junction ward in the Town Hall.

He said that being a councillor “is about representing residents and having that local commitment to the area, demonstrated by the fact I’ve lived there for nearly 10 years.

“I shop locally, I go to Bread & Bean for brunch on Saturdays, I go to the pubs down the road from me, I do the park run in Finsbury Park.

“I love my local area, and I’m a passionate advocate for it when I chat to friends. It’s a passion and enthusiasm I would bring to the council if elected.”

Labour has held the seat for the last 10 years after breaking up a spell with the Lib Dems.

Junction by-election candidates’ list

Jackson Caines (Independent)

Rebecca Jones (Liberal Democrats)

Bill Martin (The Socialist Party of Great Britain)

Devon Osborne (Green Party)

Brian Potter (Independent)

James Potts (Labour)

John Wilkin (Conservative)

Listed in alphabetical order

Vote takes place on November 28