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Fresh from a double electoral blow in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire, the Tories could well be on course for the most dreaded of all hat-tricks. Another by-election looms on the horizon, and in the current climate, there’s no such thing as a ‘safe seat’ for the Conservative Party.
The constituency of Wellingborough and Rushden is currently helmed by Tory MP Peter Bone. The senior politician has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, and looks set to receive a six-week suspension as a result.
An independent panel declared last week that bone was guilty of numerous acts of bullying, and one act of sexual misconduct. It was said that the politician exposed himself to a colleague during a work trip in 2013.
Should the six-week suspension be enforced, this will trigger a recall petition. Once this process begins, it is almost certain that a by-election will then be called. The Tories hold a majority of more than 18,000 in the area. But that doesn’t count for much.
Majorities of more than 20,000 were wiped out in two constituencies for the party this week. Locals have expressed their frustrations too. The windows of Mr. Bone’s office in Wellingborough have been smashed. The building itself is fairly run down.
It’s more malaise for the governing party. And there’s a genuine risk that another humiliating by-election defeat is on its way. The local opposition, as you’d expect, are buoyant. Labour representatives say they are ‘ready for the fight’, and the campaigns is already underway.
“The Conservatives haven’t listened the whole time Peter Bone has held the seat. From the town centres and roads to access to dentists and GPs, there’s so much room to improve! We’ve been campaigning for a by-election regularly for a while now.”
“This is a fight we’re ready for. Our team is now ready. We are just awaiting the selection process and there are strong candidates locally who’ve been out on the doors and at our street stalls.” | Wellingborough Labour Party
