One of the candidates in the Tooting by-election claims political parties do not talk enough about persecuted Christians and the breakdown of marriages as he fights for the seat vacated by Sadiq Khan.

Des Coke, 67, from Streatham, is standing in the by-election for the Christian People's Alliance (CPA) and he said their policies are "quite strong".

Mr Coke said: "We care for the poor, we think all life is important and abortion is a no.

"The policies are quite strong.

"No other parties are talking about it, they are not talking about persecuted Christians or that all life matters."

Mr Coke stood in the Mitcham and Morden seat in last year's General Election and as a candidate in the London Assembly elections in May.

Now in Tooting, he is concerned about the level of disruption plans for Crossrail 2 will bring.

He said: "There is talk about Crossrail 2 and for me, there is going to be disruption to residents but also we do not know how long it will be.

"We are creating a fast mode of transport but we should be looking at another airport. 

"We should not be disrupting the environment, Tooting Broadway is a colourful area with a lot going on and we need to be focussed on the needs of the area."

Mr Coke said Balham would be better placed to cope with the disruption of building Crossrail 2 and the route should be put through there instead of Tooting Broadway.

Mr Coke pledged to carry out more local consultation work should he win the seat, to ensure he knew what people really wanted.

He also voiced concerns about St George's Hospital and the junior doctors strikes.

Mr Coke said: "We should ensure St George's gets the funding it needs for what is going on there.

"I support the strikes because they are standing up for what they believe in. 

"At the end of the day I am not sure what will happen if Brexit kicks in."

Mr Coke plans to vote to leave the European Union in the upcoming referendum, as he thinks Britain will eventually have to join the Euro.

He said: "I think it will not last if we remain in Europe."

The Tooting by-election will be held on June 16 with the result expected the same night.