Two Labour heavyweights in Hammersmith & Fulham have backed Yvette Cooper to be the next leader of their party.

Council leader Stephen Cowan said only she can “can deliver the change our country needs at 2020 general election”, while Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter said “she has what it takes to be a great Labour leader”.

The pair were speaking ahead of the Labour leadership announcements on September 12.

Mr Cowan said: “I have known Yvette Cooper since 2005 and know her leadership is exactly suited to taking the fight to Cameron and Osborne and winning again for the people most needing a Labour government.

“These are perilous times with the Tories looking to shrink public services by 40%. I believe only Yvette Cooper can bring the Tories to a halt and deliver the change our country needs at the 2020 general election.”

Mr Slaughter, who has already backed Sadiq Khan to be Labour’s candidate for London Mayor, added: “Time and time again Yvette has shown that she has what it takes to be a great Labour Leader. I have known her for many years and admire her integrity and commitment to advancing social justice.”

Ms Cooper visited the borough in March to hear how the Labour administration is putting the largest number of council-funded police officers onto local streets and estates in the borough’s history.

She said at the time: “The administration in Hammersmith & Fulham is making a real difference to the lives of local people.

“The work Steve Cowan and his colleagues are doing is incredibly impressive.”

Other candidates running for Labour leadership are Liz Kennedy, Andy Burnham and Jeremy Corbyn.