The Conservative Party has formally selected Dan Watkins as its candidate in the Tooting by-election. 

Mr Watkins has been acting as the party's 'parliamentary spokesman for Tooting' since September 2015, when, according to an article on Conservative Home's website, he was selected as the party's prospective parliamentary candidate. 

Despite the title, he was not formally announced as the candidate until Wednesday evening. 

He ran against Sadiq Khan in the 2015 general election, narrowly missing out by 2,842 votes.

He has been campaigning since then, working on Crossrail 2 projects such as Balham vs Tooting and the Love Your Local awards.

Yesterday: English Democrats announce candidate in Tooting by-election

Yesterday: Liberal Democrats announce candidate for Tooting by-election​

May 14: Junior doctor Rosena Allin-Khan selected as Labour's candidate for Tooting by-election

Mr Watkins said: "I am hugely honoured to have been selected as the Conservative candidate in an area I have called home for 15 years and where I am proud to now be raising my family.

"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.

"Tooting residents need a strong local voice in Parliament and I will work tirelessly to earn the right to represent them."

Mr Watkins will face Rosena Allin-Khan for Labour, Alex Glassbrook for the Liberal Democrats, Graham Moore, the English Democrat candidate, Alan Howling Laud Hope for the Monster Raving Loony Party and Bobby Smith for the Give Me Back Elmo Party. 

The by-election will be held on June 16.