Date for Tooting by-election announced

With erstwhile Tooting MP Sadiq Khan taking up residence in City Hall, the Tooting constituency is up for grabs.

The council has announced that the by-election will take place on Thursday 16th of June. They say:

"People wishing to stand in the by-election must submit their nominations to the returning officer by 4pm Friday, May 20. A full list of candidates will be formally published once this deadline has passed.

Residents living in the constituency, which covers Tooting, Balham, Earlsfield and Wandsworth Common, who are not already on the electoral register must register by midnight on Tuesday, May 31.

People can check if their name appears on the register by emailing electoral@wandsworth.gov.uk or calling 020 8871 6023.

Residents who are registered and would like a postal vote are being advised that they must submit their applications by 5pm Wednesday, June 1. People who are already permanently registered for a postal vote will not need to apply again.

British citizens, along with citizens of qualifying Commonwealth countries, the Republic of Ireland and British Overseas Territories are all eligible to vote in this by-election.  In addition those British citizens who live overseas and are registered as overseas electors will be able to vote."

 The full list of candidates will be declared at the end of next week, but some potential candidates have already put themselves forward.

The Labour short-list has been announced. Naushabah Khan, Mike McLaughlin, Jasvir Singh, Rosena Allin-Khan, Martin Smith will attend a hustings on Saturday, where local constituency members will vote for their chosen candidate.

While no announcement's been made, we can surely expect Dan Watkins to step forward for the Conservatives?

Finally, we're apparently to look forward to the delights of George Galloway campaigning.

More to follow after the official list has been released.