‘Love rat’ Lib Dem on standby for snap election
FORMER Birmingham MP John Hemming has been selected to stand again in the Birmingham Yardley seat he represented for 10 years.
The Liberal Democrat politician will stand against Labour’s Jess Phillips, if a snap election is called in the near future.
Mr Hemming, a millionaire internet entrepreneur, admitted to a string of affairs.
In 2011 he was at the centre of the infamous “cat napping” court case in which his wife Christine was found guilty of stealing a kitten which belonged to his partner Emily Cox, a former Birmingham City Councillor.
Mr Hemming was previously married to Christine, with whom he has three children, while also having an affair with Ms Cox, his former assistant.
The former MP was nominated for the News of the World’s ‘Love Rat of the Year’ competition in 2007 and he revealed that he had actually voted for himself.
The nomination as Lib Dem candidate only applies if an election takes place by mid-2017. A new general election is not required until 2020.
Mr Hemming said: “I thank the Yardley Lib Dems for their vote of confidence. I know many Yardley residents regret electing the Labour MP and would like to see me return.”
He added: “On a national level there still needs to be campaigning for justice and against secret imprisonment.
“It is also clear that an alternative that recognises the importance of business, but looks properly at the impact on the poorer members of society is needed in UK politics.
“It is not that likely that we will see a snap election. If we do, however, I am ready to serve the citizens of Yardley again.”
The move follows speculation that Theresa May, the new Conservative Prime Minister, could decide to call an election next year or even later this year – although she has insisted she has no plans to do this.
Mr Hemming was Birmingham Yardley’s MP for 2005 to 2015. The businessman and jazz musician, a former deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, was defeated by Labour’s Jess Phillips in the 2015 general election, when the Liberal Democrats lost 49 seats across the country.
As an MP he was known for his campaign to make the workings of family courts, where decisions are taken about child welfare, more open.
He also campaigned against what he saw as the abuse of “super injunctions” designed to prevent the media revealing information about public figures.
If there is no election then the party will go through a fresh nomination process in the usual way, though as Parliamentary boundaries are being reviewed it is possible that constituencies including Birmingham Yardley will be substantially changed before candidates are chosen.