Labour doctor Rosena Allin-Khan was today named the bookies’ favourite to win the Tooting by-election as the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats unveiled rival candidates.
Local entrepreneur Dan Watkins, 39, will stand again in the seat where he achieved a record Tory vote in last year’s election of more than 22,000.
A school governor and father of one, he is married to a social worker.
He said: “I have worked hard as an active campaigner and volunteer to champion all of the things I know make Tooting great — its diversity, its community spirit, its small businesses, its outdoor spaces.”
Local barrister Alex Glassbrook has been picked by the Lib-Dems for the June 16 contest in the seat where Sadiq Khan had a majority of 2,842 last year.
“I live in the area and love the area and I am determined to fight for it,” said the married father of two.
Spread-betting firm Sporting Index said Dr Allin-Khan was “firm favourite” among punters to hold the seat for Labour. The party’s majority in the constituency has fallen steeply over the past 15 years amid gentrification of the area, but Mr Khan increased his vote share slightly in 2015.
