Local doctor Rosena Allin-Khan has been selected by Labour members in Tooting as the party’s candidate for the upcoming by-election in June 16. Sadiq Khan, who last week stood down as the MP after being elected as Mayor of London, said that she “has the values, vision and experience to be a brilliant champion for Tooting.”

Local members met this morning to hear from the five shortlisted candidates, with Allin-Khan winning on the third round of the exhaustive ballot vote, with Martin Smith finishing second. Around 350 members are estimated to have been at the meeting, including a large number that have joined the party since last May, but Allin-Khan is seen as more of a continuity candidate from Sadiq, rather than a shift to the left.

Dr Allin-Khan was born and raised in Tooting, and works as an A&E specialist in the local St George’s Hospital. She has also used her experience to work as international humanitarian aid worker.

Accepting the candidacy, she said:

“I love Tooting. I was born and raised here, and there’s no place I would rather raise my children. This community gave my family everything, including a secure home to raise our family.

“It’s an honour to be selected as Labour’s candidate – continuing Sadiq Khan’s work standing up for everyone living across Balham, Earlsfield, Furzedown and Tooting.

“As an A&E specialist doctor at St George’s Hospital and as a mother of two young daughters, I know first-hand how important public services are to local families.

“With local health services under threat and the Tories pushing ahead with plans to take millions of pounds from our local school budgets, my priority will be to ensure our community gets the excellent local services families need and deserve.

“I will also use all my energy to tackle the Tory housing crisis that is pricing out local people from our area. Tooting is a great place to live but too many people are working for long hours every day and still can’t afford to put money aside to save for a deposit. We need to make sure Tooting remains affordable for everyone who lives here.”

Sadiq Khan praised the new candidate, saying:

“Rosena has lived in the area all her life and has always been committed to helping and standing up for local people – whether working as an A&E doctor at St George’s or campaigning as a councillor on issues like protecting childcare services.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Rosena over the coming weeks to tackle the Tory housing crisis, protect key local services and secure the transport links people in Tooting rely upon every day. Rosena has the values, vision and experience to be a brilliant champion for Tooting.”