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Activist Owen Jones has issued a rallying cry for Labour supporters to join him in Tooting this weekend as rivals bid to target London mayor Sadiq Khan’s former seat.

The left-wing journalist has organised a ‘Keep Tooting Labour’ event with current MP Rosena Allin-Khan, who took over the seat from the mayor after winning the by-election in June last year.

Dr Allin-Khan held the south London seat for Labour after Mr Khan stood down following his victory in the City Hall race in May.

The A&E doctor increased Labour’s majority to 6,357 over the Conservatives, up from the 2,842 secured by her predecessor in the general election in 2015.

But she faces a strong challenge from the Conservative candidate and local businessman Dan Watkins, who is set to contest the seat for the third time on June 8. He came second to Dr Allin-Khan in the by-election and to Mr Khan in the 2015 poll.

“Your help has never been more important. Tooting is on a knife edge,” Mr Jones said in a statement on the event’s Facebook page.

“The Tories are coming for it. If the Tories win seats like Tooting, it'll be a landslide victory across Britain. Only you can help turn it around.

“The Labour MP, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, is a fantastic, inspiring candidate. Tooting-born and a junior doctor, she's the sort of MP Labour desperately need.

“Let her get back to Parliament to finish what she started 10 months ago.”

He urged supporters to join him and Dr Allin-Khan for “the biggest campaign day Tooting has ever had” starting from 11am outside Tooting Broadway station.

More than 1,000 people have expressed an interest in attending.

Mr Jones added: “Your help could not be more crucial. It could help decide the future of the country."