Conservative MP Lucy Allan has been suspended from the party after endorsing a Reform UK candidate, highlighting internal divisions and complicating Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s election campaign. Here’s the full story.
Significant Blow
In yet another significant blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s already shaky election campaign launch, Conservative MP Lucy Allan was suspended from the party after endorsing a candidate from Reform UK.
Reform UK
Allan, the MP for Telford, had declared her support for Alan Adams, the Reform UK candidate, rather than the Conservative candidate Hannah Campbell, as she prepares to step down from her parliamentary role.
Gaffes and Missteps
The suspension comes as a blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s election campaign, which has been beset by gaffes, missteps, and what opposition politicians have declared increasingly desperate attempts to win back voters’ support as Labour remains 20 points ahead in the polls.
Support and Donate
Lucy Allan made her endorsement public through a tweet that linked to Alan Adams’ campaign website, urging people to support and donate to his campaign.
“I Have Resigned”
Allan wrote online, “I have resigned from the Conservative party to support Alan Adams to be Telford’s next MP. I have known Alan for many years and he is genuinely the best person for the job.”
“I Want the Best for Telford”
She continued, “I want the best for Telford and I can’t just let the Labour candidate have a walkover.”
Narrow Majority
Lucy Allan first won her seat in Telford in 2015 with a narrow majority of 730 votes, which decreased to 720 in the 2019 election.
“More of the Same Politics”
However, she increased her majority to 10,941 in the 2019 general election, which made it all the more damning for Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives when she said, “Alan [Adams] gives Telford a choice, so that Telford does not have to settle for more of the same politics and more of the same politicians.”
Rival Party Candidate
The Conservative Party acted swiftly in response to Allan’s endorsement of a rival party’s candidate, suspending her from the party to stem the bleeding caused by the second major defection from the Conservatives to Reform UK.
“Suspended From the Party”
A Conservative spokesperson confirmed, “Lucy Allan has been suspended from the party with immediate effect. The people of Telford now have the chance to vote for a dedicated and hardworking new candidate who will put Telford first. A vote for Reform is a vote for Keir Starmer.”
“Either Keir Starmer or Me”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated, “I think when it comes to Reform, I understand people’s frustrations, but it is very simple: either Keir Starmer or me is going to be Prime Minister on July 5.”
“That Is the Choice”
He continued, “That is the choice at this election. So, for people who are thinking about voting for other parties, but particularly Reform, all that is going to do is put Keir Starmer in power and you are not going to see any change on the issues that you care about.”
“Absolutely Delighted”
Predictably, Reform UK was ecstatic at the news of Allan’s support, with a party spokesperson stating, “Of course, we are absolutely delighted that she is backing our candidate in Telford. She, like many Conservatives, feels that the Reform party represents traditional centre-right values and priorities in a way that the Conservative Party has long forgotten.”
Polling Around 10%
Reform UK, which has been polling at around 10%, will undoubtedly view Allan’s endorsement as a significant boost following MP Lee Anderson’s defection to the party earlier this year.
Signs of Panic
As the election draws closer, Tories increasingly show signs of panic as the party hurtles towards an election widely predicted to see a Conservative wipeout.
Allocating Blame
Tory peer Lord Goldsmith, a staunch ally of former disgraced Prime Minister Boris Johnson, quickly blamed Sunak for Allan’s defection.
“I Understand the Anger”
Goldsmith stated, “I understand the anger towards Sunak who has damaged the party almost beyond repair and all but guaranteed the majority of his MPs will lose their job next month, but it’s hard to muster much sympathy given that none of this would have happened without the complicity of a majority of the party and what is now unfolding was entirely predictable – indeed predicted.”
“Some Decent MPs”
He added, “The hope is that when Sunak disappears off to California in a few weeks there are at least some decent MPs left around which to rebuild.”
Ill-Prepared
The suspension of Lucy Allan for backing a Reform UK candidate is another example of the difficult situation the Conservatives find themselves in. They are ill-prepared for the possibility of losing power.
More Defections?
Whether more defections will follow as the election draws closer and more Conservatives increasingly see the writing on the wall remains to be seen.
The post MP Switches to Reform UK, Citing Irreparable Tory Damage first appeared on Swift Feed.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / John B Hewitt.