LABOUR leader Tony Newman claims Andrew Pelling's selection in Waddon will "put the fear of God" into his former Tory colleagues.
Mr Pelling, who was Croydon Central MP between 2005 and 2010, enjoys an acrimonious relationship with his former party but Cllr Newman believes he is standing for the right reasons.
"(Getting back at the Tories) was probably his initial motivation when he joined the party, but he really has done the groundwork since then," he said.
"Most party members in Croydon recognise the huge effort Andrew put in to support Louisa Woodley during a very tough London Assembly campaign last May.
"He spent the best part of 12 months on doorsteps in Croydon and Sutton and earned a lot of respect from party members and the public."
Mr Pelling, 53, will stand in Waddon alongside former civil servant Robert Canning and Waddon resident Joy Prince.
Activist Hamida Ali had been expected to put herself forward but has now applied for a place on the party's all-women Croydon Central shortlist.
"Waddon will almost certainly decide the outcome of the council so I am absolutely delighted we have got such a strong team to take the Labour message to doorsteps," said Cllr Newman.
"With a mixture of local residents and Andrew's experience as a seasoned campaigner and someone who knows all the current Conservative administration's weak spots, this is a huge shot in the arm.
"I would describe this as the dream team, the A team."
Mr Pelling joined Labour in March 2011 and has been an active campaigner for the party ever since.
Labour members made their selection at a meeting yesterday (Tuesday) evening.
Cllr Newman said the former London Assembly member for Croydon and Sutton had chosen to put himself forward in Waddon, which has historically been a key battleground at election time.
He said: "I know Andrew was very keen to stand where he could have the maximum impact for Labour and to the maximum damage to the Conservative Party.
"It's going to put the fear of God into Councillor Fisher's administration."
Council leader Mike Fisher replied: "There's no fear of God whatsoever.
"We have a very strong team and track record in Waddon and as far as I'm aware Andrew has no link to the ward at all.
"It's up to Labour who they select. I would have thought Andrew would be disappointed not to get a more winnable seat.
"As it is, I know a number of people in the Labour group are deeply wary of Andrew and his ambitions.
"If Labour do win then he might be after a front bench position or even the leader's job, so maybe it's Tony who should be worrying about the fear of God."
Phil Thomas, deputy chairman of Croydon Conservatives, was less diplomatic.
He said: "I can't believe how much Labour are scraping the bottom of the barrel.
"I would have thought they would have been able to come up with someone better than him. They must be short of candidates."
