Esther McVey, a senior Tory MP, has sparked a debate by suggesting her party should step aside in the upcoming Runcorn and Helsby by-election. She believes this move would give Reform a better chance of winning the seat.
The Runcorn By-Election Context
The by-election, set for May 1, follows the resignation of MP Mike Amesbury. Amesbury stepped down after being convicted for assaulting a constituent. With polls showing Reform neck-and-neck with Labour, McVey thinks the Tories should take a backseat in this race.
In a leaked recording shared with The Telegraph, McVey suggested: “You’d probably say, yeah, let Reform win that seat because you might need them in the South West so we win a seat.”
McVey’s View on Electoral Alliances
McVey also proposed a broader electoral pact between the Tories and Reform for the next general election. “When we get to the general election, would I be looking at an electoral pact [with Reform]? Absolutely I would! We don’t want two right-wing parties cutting each other’s throats and Labour getting in,” she explained.
She framed this idea as “pragmatism,” suggesting that the Tories should step aside in seats where they’ve come “a very distant fourth” in order to give Reform a better shot.
Reform’s Response
However, Reform’s stance differs. While some Tory shadow ministers have hinted at an electoral pact, Nigel Farage, Reform’s leader, has made it clear he doesn’t want one. He’s focused on replacing the Tories, not collaborating with them.
Farage recently took aim at Tory MPs, calling them a “boring bunch of old b****rds” and accusing Kemi Badenoch of not understanding hard work.
What’s Next for Runcorn?
McVey’s call for an electoral pact has stirred the pot. It’s unclear if her party will follow her lead or if Reform will stay determined to go it alone. All eyes are now on the Runcorn by-election, and the political fallout it may cause.
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