Brabin’s win will trigger by-election

TRACY Brabin’s win as England’s first female metro mayor marks not only a turning point for West Yorkshire but for her own constituency of Batley and Spen.

Unlike Dan Jarvis in South Yorkshire, Ms Brabin must stand down as MP because the role of police and crime commissioner is wrapped into that of mayor.

That means a by-election will be triggered in Batley and Spen – with everything to play for.

The Examiner understands Ms Brabin has already written to Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, standing down from her role as an MP.

But the process is slightly more archaic and quirky than a resignation, and actually more resembles a job application.

Ms Brabin has had to ask Mr Sunak to be Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds – a title that is applied for when an MP needs to “disqualify’ themselves from the Commons.

According to the UK Parliament, “an elected MP has no right to resign: unless they die or are expelled they just become disqualified if they wish to retire before the end of parliament”.

In taking up the role as Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds, Ms Brabin is automatically barred from being an MP by law.

As for when the by-election will be held, Labour, as the party defending the seat, have to move a writ to make it happen.

If they do that today, then the earliest the contest could take place is the week before June 21 – that’s because it has to take place within 27 days of moving the writ.

That could pose a challenge for Labour, considering June 21 is the date when all coronavirus-related restrictions are supposed to lift, meaning the optimism that we have seen benefit the Tories nationally could well help them locally too in Batley and Spen.

Ms Brabin herself acknowledged that the prospect of the Tories taking her seat and hometown was a “concern”.

“Obviously that would be a concern, and given what we’ve gone through over the last six or seven years, obviously, it’s important for me personally that it stays Labour - but I think we can do it,” she said.

“I think a Labour MP for Batley and Spen, working with Labour mayor, will be able to deliver for Batley and Spen in a very different way.

“And I’m excited about the opportunity.”