Keir Starmer is facing yet another political headache. Former Labour MP Mike Amesbury has been jailed for assault, triggering a likely by-election that could spell trouble for the party.
With Labour neck-and-neck with Reform UK in the polls, this could be the last thing Starmer needs.
What Happened?
Amesbury attacked 45-year-old Paul Fellows in Frodsham, Cheshire, last October. CCTV footage played in court showed him punching Fellows at least five times while he was on the ground.
On Monday, he was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison at Cheshire Magistrates’ Court. His conviction has automatically triggered a recall petition, meaning if 10% of his constituents sign it, a by-election will be called.
Reform UK Smells Opportunity
Amesbury won his Runcorn and Helsby seat just last year, securing a nearly 15,000-vote majority over Reform UK. However, with Labour’s popularity plummeting, Reform sees this as a prime chance to gain ground.
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s chairman, wasted no time piling on the pressure:
“The people of Runcorn deserve better than waiting six weeks for a recall petition. Amesbury should do the honourable thing and resign immediately.”
If he steps down voluntarily, a by-election could happen much sooner.
A Downfall in Fast Forward
Amesbury, first elected in 2017, once held a shadow local government minister role before stepping down in 2022 to focus on constituency work.
Following his guilty plea last month, he told reporters:
“I respect the judicial process. The incident in October was highly regrettable. I’m sincerely sorry to Mr Fellows and his family.”
His lawyer, Richard Derby, painted him as a man of “exemplary character”, but the court saw things differently. Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram noted Amesbury “continued to punch Mr Fellows when he was on the ground”—a detail that likely sealed his fate.
What Happens Next?
Now, it’s a waiting game. Will Amesbury quit and speed up the process, or will Labour have to sweat through the recall petition? Either way, Starmer’s party has a fight on its hands in a seat that should have been safe.
With Reform UK snapping at their heels, this by-election could be a defining moment.
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