Sunak must recall Parliament and call Mid Bedfordshire by-election now

30 Aug 2023

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Lib Dems urge Rishi Sunak to recall Parliament so Mid Bedfordshire by-election can be called immediately
Nadine Dorries' constituents have not been spoken for in Parliament since the 7th July 2022, 417 days ago
People of Mid Bedfordshire "should not go a day longer without proper representation"

The Liberal Democrats have urged Rishi Sunak to recall Parliament so the Mid Bedfordshire by-election can be called immediately.

This would allow the government to move the writ for the by-election straight away, meaning it could take place within five weeks, or by the 28th September.

The Liberal Democrats said that Sunak must act now so that Nadine Dorries' constituents do not have to go a day longer than necessary without proper representation in Parliament. It comes after the Prime Minister refused to act by withdrawing the Conservative whip from Dorries.

Nadine Dorries first said that she would resign with ‘immediate effect’ 10 weeks ago, and has not spoken in Parliament since July 2022. It means her constituents in Mid Bedfordshire have been without proper representation in Parliament for 417 days.

The Liberal Democrats are the bookies' favourite to take the seat in the upcoming by-election, following a string of four stunning by-election wins in similar formerly safe Conservative seats. The party’s candidate, Emma Holland-Lindsay, is a local champion and councillor in the area. That is in contrast to the Labour candidate, who is a councillor from North East London, 50 miles away from Mid Bedfordshire.

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP said:

“People in Mid Bedfordshire have faced a never ending Conservative Party soap opera for months while Rishi Sunak just sits on his hands.

"Local families are furious they have been so badly let down and left without an MP to stand up for them on access to GPs or the cost of living crisis.

"Sunak needs to recall Parliament now and call this by-election so Nadine Dorries' constituents don't have to go for a day longer without proper representation.

"The Liberal Democrats are the odds-on favourites to win yet another historic by-election victory against the Conservatives in this rural Blue Wall seat. We will fight for every single vote to finally give the people of Mid Bedfordshire the strong local champion that they deserve.”

ENDS