Danny Beales is a huge favourite with the bookmakers to win the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election

LABOUR members across Camden and beyond are being urged to go to west London to help the council’s regeneration chief fulfil his dreams of becoming an MP.

Councillor Danny Beales had already been sharing his time between here and the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency where he was selected to be the party’s parliamentary candidate last year.

He had been expected to face Boris Johnson at the next general election, but the former prime minister dramatically stepped down on Friday evening in the wake of the so-called “partygate” report. This contained the findings of an investigation of lockdown gatherings and whether Mr Johnson misled parliament and then failed to correct the record.

His departure means Cllr Beales is now in the thick of the contest and could be an MP within weeks.

The seat had already been considered a prime target due to Labour’s steady performance in the polls, which suggest Cllr Beales should win easily. Last night (Wednesday), shadow cabinet members Wes Streeting and David Lammy were due to appear at a fund-raising gala and more appeals went out for all party supporters to help out with the campaign.

Cllr Beales represents the Camden Square ward and holds one of the biggest portfolios in the Labour cabinet at the Town Hall, fronting Camden’s Community Investment Programme.

This has led him into direct conflict with opponents of estate demolition and the opportunities for private developers to build luxury homes on council land – such as the skyscraper which went up on a rare spot of green space in Somers Town. The trade-offs have been investment in new council homes and community facilities – including the rebuilt Edith Neville Primary School.

Cllr Beales has resisted calls to step down from the council during his quest to win a place in parliament on the other side of the city – a point which has led to a sprinkling of criticism from supporters of other parties.

In a letter to the New Journal today (Thursday), Joanna Reeves, the chair of the Holborn and St Pancras Conservative Association, said: “How Cllr Beales will represent the residents who elected him is hard to say, now that his focus must be squarely on furthering his aspirations for a parliamentary career?”

Cllr Beales, a Fulham FC fan who was born in Hillingdon, has often told the story of the homelessness he faced as a teenager and young man, thanking his mother for helping them through eviction trauma.

He told the New Journal that the by-election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip has been called because of “yet more Tory infighting and chaos”, adding: “If I were the Camden  Tories, I’d be more focused on sorting out the chaos their government have caused and apologising to local people for a cost of living crisis impacting families and services. I’ve been a dedicated councillor for nine years and had many messages of support from my constituents so far.”

The Conservatives have yet to select a candidate, but Lawrence Fox – the actor turned leader of the Reclaim party – has announced his candidacy.

Mr Johnson, who sparked fresh anger by nominating a series of allies for seats in the House of Lords including one-time aide Charlotte Owen who will become the youngest ever life peer at 29, has dismissed the investigation into his conduct as a “kangaroo court” as the privileges committee is chaired by Labour MP Harriet Harman.