This has got blood boiling on the Conservative benches: Liam Conlon, the son of Sue Gray, has announced his intentions to run as an MP an the next election, for the newly-created constituency of Beckenham and Penge (London).
Gray has become the scourge of the Tories over the past year or so. Her damning report into the Partygate fiasco resulted in a number of senior Tories – including Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson – receiving a tongue-lashing from the esteemed civil servant.
Earlier this year, she incurred further wrath when she accepted the position of Chief of Staff for Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet. Conservative backers believe Gray was ‘biased’ in her reporting, using her role within Labour to justify their claims.
Now, with her son in the running to become an MP, it’s added more fuel onto the fire. Critics have called the move ‘nepotism’. However, others remain unconvinced. Peter Spencer, a senior political commentator, has dismissed the concerns raised:
“If he is anything like his mum, he’ll be a formidable operator – if he does get to be a Labour candidate. I do believe this is not nepotism. That’s what The Sun are reporting, they are no great ally of Labour. Mischief will be made, this is just for the birds.” | Peter Spencer
Conlon, meanwhile, will be hoping he can focus on his run for office in the months ahead, and rise above the noise of his detractors. Posting on his Twitter/X account this weekend, he has vowed to ‘deliver change for those who need it most’.
“I’m running to be Labour’s candidate for Beckenham and Penge. Our constituency needs a Labour MP who will deliver change for those who need it most. It starts with winning. That won’t be easy, but I’ll bring my campaigning experience to help make it happen.” | Liam Conlon
