The six candidates vying to stand as the Labour candidate in next year’s Mayor of London elections gathered in Stratford for a hustings event.

Newham Recorder: Labour supporters filled the Old Town HallLabour supporters filled the Old Town Hall (Image: Archant)

Devolution, the engagement of young people in politics and building homes were among the topics fielded by the audience at the Old Town Hall yesterday.

Current MPs Diane Abbott, Sadiq Khan, David Lammy and Gareth Thomas all put forward their cases to be selected as the party’s mayoral candidate, as did former MP Dame Tessa Jowell and journalist Christian Wolmar.

The event was one of several hustings to take place across the capital as part of the selection process.

Promises made during the afternoon included Ms Jowell’s vowing to “introduce a one-hour bus fare, one zone weekend tickets and fare freeze” in her first year should she become mayor.

On the same topic, Mr Lammy said that “those in apprenticeships need to receive the same free travel benefits that students do”.

Ms Abbott vowed to become “the aspiration mayor”, while Mr Khan said he wanted “to give Londoners opportunities this city gave me.”

Voting for the Labour candidate will take place this summer with party members and anyone who pays £3 to be a registered supporter by August 12 eligible to vote.

The mayoral candidate will be announced alongside the party’s new leader and deputy leader in September.