PM risking two by-election losses in a day for third time

RISHI SUNAK risks losing two by-elections on the same day for the third time in his premiership when two fresh contests are held next month.

Voters in the seats of Wellingborough and Kingswood will elect new MPS after Simon Hart, the Chief Whip, issued writs for both elections yesterday.

The by-elections must now take place between 21 and 27 working days after the writs were moved, meaning they will probably take place on Feb 15.

Peter Bone, who became the Conservative MP for Wellingborough in 2005, was recalled by his constituents after claims of bullying and sexual misconduct, which he denies, against a member of his staff.

Chris Skidmore, a former energy minister, was the Tory MP for Kingswood from 2010 until last Friday when he dramatically quit over Mr Sunak’s plans to boost oil and gas fields in the North Sea.

Mr Sunak lost two seats on the same day on two occasions last year. The Tories were defeated by Labour in Selby and Ainsty and the Liberal Democrats Somerton and Frome on July 20, before losing Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire to Labour on Oct 19.

Bookmakers have Sir Keir Starmer’s party, which is between 15 and 20 points ahead in the opinion polls, as the odds-on favourite to win both of the fresh by-elections.

On Sunday, the Tories selected Helen Harrison, Mr Bone’s girlfriend, as their candidate in Wellingborough. Ms Harrison is a county councillor and physiotherapist who was among the directors of Grassroots Out, a Brexit pressure group founded by her partner.

Labour has chosen Genevieve Kitchen, one of its own former councillors, while the Liberal Democrats opted for Ana Savage Gunn, a care worker. Reform UK will field Ben Habib, its deputy leader and a prominent activist, but is refusing to participate in the Kingswood by-election.