Tory MP suspended after backing Reform candidate

A Tory MP leaving Parliament has backed a Reform UK candidate to fill her seat.

Lucy Allan, who announced her resignation as MP for Telford at the election last June, said Reform’s Alan Adams would offer an alternative to “more of the same politics and more of the same politicians”.

The Conservative Party responded by immediately suspending her party, but she herself stated that she had resigned to support Mr Adams and not Hannah Campbell, the Conservative candidate.

Ms Allan said: “I have resigned from the Conservative Party to support Alan Adams in his candidacy as the next MP for Telford.

“I have known Alan for many years and he really is the best man for the job. I want the best for Telford and I cannot simply give the Labour candidate a free kick.”

Mrs Allan was the first Conservative and also the first female MP to represent the Shropshire constituency.

It first won the seat in 2015 with a majority of 730 votes, then in 2017 with a lead of just 720 votes. In 2019, however, it was able to increase its majority to 10,941 votes.

“It’s not about personal gain”

Ms Allan said: “Alan is not interested in personal gain, power or control over people. Alan’s motivation for standing for election is deeply honourable. He will be honest with Telford and put Telford first.”

“Alan is giving Telford a choice so that Telford does not have to settle for more of the same policies and more of the same politicians.”

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Lucy Allan has been suspended from the party with immediate effect.

“The people of Telford now have the chance to vote for a committed and hard-working new candidate who will put Telford first. A vote for reform is a vote for Keir Starmer.”

A Reform Party spokesman said: “We are of course delighted that they are supporting our candidate in Telford.

“Like many Conservatives, she believes that the Reform Party represents traditional center-right values ​​and priorities in a way that the Conservative Party has long forgotten.”

It is the latest sign of unrest in the Tories’ ranks following Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a general election.

During his election campaign on Monday, Sunak said: “I think when it comes to reform, I understand people’s frustration but it’s very simple. Either Keir Starmer or I will be Prime Minister on July 5.”

“So if you are someone who wants strong borders and wants to get a grip on illegal migration, if you want a more serious, pragmatic and sober approach to net zero climate change, then that is what I will deliver, not Keir Starmer, and that is the decision in this election.

“For people thinking about voting for other parties, particularly the Reform Party, this just means Keir Starmer coming to power.”