Sitting Tory MP Eddie Hughes has ruled out standing as the Conservative candidate in the upcoming Tamworth by-election, despite being selected to fight for the seat at the next General Election. He’s currently the MP for Walsall North, which is being abolished under boundary changes. Pincher’s early resignation this morning has completely scuppered his plans…
He confirmed in a statement on Facebook this afternoon:
“I respect the MP for Tamworth’s decision to resign today and I understand there will now be a by-election. However, as the sitting Member of Parliament for Walsall North I have a commitment to my constituents until the next General Election. I look forward to continuing to represent the great people of Bloxwich, Willenhall and Walsall North.”
Hughes was stuck between a rock and a hard place. You might even say he was caught in something of a Pincher movement. Jumping to Tamworth now would have meant another by-election in Walsall North. As Michael Crick points out, that could have made Hughes the man responsible for losing his party two by-elections potentially on the same day. The race is now on to find a new candidate for Tamworth. Guido hears CCHQ are scrambling around desperately…
UPDATE: Hughes tells Guido he’s focusing on winning Tamworth for the Tories for now, and hasn’t decided what’ll do after that. There are still a few other seats up for grabs…
Chris Pincher has written to Jeremy Hunt to formally resign as the MP for Tamworth. It follows the Independent Expert Panel throwing out Pincher’s suspension appeal, which meant he was already set for an 8-week exclusion that would have guaranteed a recall petition anyway. He told GB News’s Christopher Hope:
“I have said already that I will not stand at the next General Election. However, following the Independent Expert Panel’s decision I wanted to talk to my office team and family. I do not want my constituents to be put to further uncertainty, and so in consequence I have made arrangements to resign and leave the Commons. Tamworth is a wonderful place and it has been an honour to represent its people. I shall make no further comment at this time.”
Tamworth is, in theory, a Conservative safe seat. UK Polling Report still projects a Tory win, although Labour will fight tooth-and-nail…
The date has finally been set for the Mid Bedfordshire by-election, now due on 19th October. Despite much speculation, and the best efforts of the LibDems, this means the contest will fall well after Tory Party Conference – which finishes on the 4th. Polling analysis suggests the contest is set to be close, so Rishi will be relieved to see one potential headache has been avoided. It’s yet another stroke of luck for the Tories hopes of a Nadine-free conference, after her book’s publication date was also delayed…
Almost three years after Margaret Ferrier’s flagrant Covid rule-breaking came to light, we finally have a date for the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election. The South Lanarkshire returning officer has confirmed the poll will be held on October 5th. Based on current polling, Labour are well on course for a gain from the SNP.
That should get their conference, which starts on October 8th, off to a good start…
The Independent Expert Panel has rejected Christ Pincher’s appeal over his eight-week Commons suspension, paving the way for a recall petition in his Tamworth constituency. And almost certainly another by-election…
The Panel didn’t hold back:
“We consider that the appellant’s arguments are misconceived or erroneous. The sanction is far from being arbitrary or disproportionate. The Committee’s recommended sanction is upheld.”
Read the full report below:
It is ULEZ expansion day. At midnight, London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone swelled all the way to the M25, meaning motorists with non-compliant cars as far out as Kent will now have to cough up £12.50 every time they switch on their engines. Despite a chorus of opposition, even from his own Labour colleagues, Sadiq Khan insists it is a moral decision that will save lives. This morning however, after that compulsory “reflection” enforced by Sir Keir, Khan finally admitted the ULEZ cost Labour the Uxbridge by-election last month – although “misinformation” was apparently a factor:
“…Londoners want to see cleaner air in our city… it was a difficult decision, I accept ULEZ was a factor in relation to Uxbridge and Ruislip, a lot of misinformation in relation to that seat, obviously I’m disappointed we didn’t make history and win that seat for the first time in my lifetime. But Londoners support our policies to clean up our air and city…”
Once again, misinformation and conspiracies explain away the ULEZ’s unpopularity. The fact the Labour candidate himself attacked it during the campaign probably didn’t help either. Meanwhile Transport Secretary Mark Harper has reaffirmed this morning that the government can’t do anything to stop Khan, as if they don’t command a huge Commons majority. Like they’re in opposition already…
