George Galloway suggests he will stand in Tooting by-election

George Galloway has made suggestions he could stand in the forthcoming Tooting by-election, after Sadiq Khan said he would be standing down as the constituency’s MP following his London mayoral victory.  

The newly elected mayor said he was stepping down from the south London seat in order to concentrate on his City Hall duties.

He told Sky News: “I will be stepping down as MP for Tooting as soon as possible.”

It is not clear when the by-election will occur. The marginal seat has been held by Mr Khan since 2005 and last May, he narrowly increased his majority over the Conservatives, holding the seat with a majority of 5.3 per cent.

Following Mr Khan's imminent departure it appears Mr Galloway may now have designs over the constituency.

Writing on Twitter on Saturday, the divisive politician said: “Hmmm. A parliamentary by-election in Tooting. Interesting…”

He also tweeted a picture of himself in Tooting with the caption: “Greetings to all from SWLondon. Remember if you want to help us mail me…”

In March however, the former Labour politician did far more than hint at his intentions in the event of a Tooting by-election.

Speaking to the New Statesman, Mr Galloway said that despite not favouring the new London mayor, describing Mr Khan as “a very poor speaker" with "very little presence", he was interested in his victory.

“If he [Mr Khan] wins,” he told the magazine, “I’ll be a candidate on the Tooting parliamentary by-election swiftly thereafter,” adding “by-elections are easier to win than general elections! Note, Tooting!”

Mr Galloway was one of 12 candidates in the London mayoral elections won by Mr Khan.

Representing the Respect party he received just over 37,000 first preference votes finishing in seventh place in front of the BNP, Britain First and the Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol party.

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