The council by-election for the South Camberwell ward is taking place today.
Community activist Octavia Lamb is standing for Labour, communications specialist and TackleAfrica charity founder Ben Maitland for the Lib Dems and cycling activist and East Dulwich Estate Regeneration Project Team chair Eleanor Margolies for the Greens.
Transport consultant Chris Mottau was nominated by the Conservatives and anti-crime campaigner and former Labour councillor Stephen Govier by the All People’s Party.
Ladbrokes have deemed Ms Lamb the clear favourite to retain Labour’s seat with odds of her victory coming in at 1/20.
Ms Margolies is out at 7/1, Mr Mottau 16/1, Mr Maitland at 50/1 and Mr Govier the long-shot at 100/1.
The by-election, which is understood to cost around £20,000, was sparked when Labour’s Chris Gonde stepped down last month, citing a poor work-life balance.
He said: “It has been a privilege and an honour to be a Southwark councillor and to represent residents in South Camberwell for the past eighteen months.
“I am proud of what Southwark Council is doing to deliver a fairer future for all, and am pleased to have played my part in improving the borough and the lives of the people who live here.”
Southwark Council Leader and fellow South Camberwell councillor Peter John thanked Mr Gonde and said that he had “been diligent” and “worked hard for local people.”
Voting opened at 7am this morning and will close at 10pm. There is a map showing the various polling stations available at http://bit.ly/1MXSWhS.