Supporting community projects, bringing Crossrail 2 to Tooting Broadway, and working with young people are some of the key themes of the Conservative candidate for Tooting's campaign this by-election.

Dan Watkins was first selected to stand in Tooting for the 2015 General Election in 2013, and although he lost to Sadiq Khan, he has continued his campaign work since then alongside his business providing technology and marketing to the law sector.

Last Thursday: Conservatives formally select campaigner Dan Watkins for Tooting by-election

Last Friday: Full candidate list for Tooting by-election announced​

In this campaign, Mr Watkins plans to fight on six main points, including: transport and housing, supporting young people and small businesses, looking after the NHS, and supporting communities and community spaces.

Part of his work in the last three years has been the campaign to get Crossrail 2 to Tooting Broadway.

He said: "We were successful in getting the shafts off Wandsworth Common in 2014 and then we had the news that Tooting Broadway was going to be tough to build on.

"I want to be in Parliament when that legislation is going through in the next two to three years so that the case for Tooting is heard.

"There would be more housing to come with it in Tooting as well, than in Balham and that is part of it."

Wandsworth Times:

Mr Watkins, who moved to Tooting from Kingston 15 years ago, said he is committed to new housing in the area and wants to help renters and first-time buyers.

He said: "I am hopeful that we can build even more than the current targets, and I would be proactive to find more affordable schemes.

"There are some micro initiatives so if I could even help 100 families, that is still 100 families on the ladder.

"There is no doubt we have to address the bigger issues nationally in Parliament too."

Mr Watkins said that although the constituency was growing economically there are still "pockets of deprivation" and he has used an apprenticeship scheme he set up through his company to work with young people in Wandsworth.

He works with Wandsworth prison to help prisoners get back into work and said he believes in rehabilitation.

December 16: Tooting's former Granada Cinema wins recognition as community asset

Speaking on the rise of gang violence in Tooting, he said: "You need a strong police force but to really solve the cause and not just the symptoms, you have to intervene at an earlier stage.

"It is mentoring and hand holding and one to one support but that is how you solve it."

Mr Watkins also said he would want to reform business rates and make sure taxes are at the best rate for small businesses.

Mr Watkins' main rival will be Labour's Rosena Allin-Khan, a junior doctor in St Geroge's Hospital.

He said he is committed to the NHS, and that as a Conservative MP in a Conservative government, he could fight for funding for the Tooting hospital.

On the junior doctors strikes, he said: "The best thing you can do is go down and talk to them and listen to their concerns.

"I was always clear that I wanted a negotiated agreement and I was really pleased last week that we now have the department of health and the BMA and the NHS agreeing on the contract.

"The seven day a week NHS is essential for the busy people of Tooting."

Mr Watkins said the by-election had drawn the circus into town, with a total of 14 candidates on the ballot paper.

He said: "I am the only candidate with a track record in Tooting.

"People have had a three year job interview with Dan Watkins, I hope they will see through the cluttered debate and support me on June 16."