A by-election? It’s not what the doctor ordered!

AMONG the defectors from the Tories to The Independent Group is the GP-turned-MP Sarah Wollaston. By law, she and the other turncoats can keep their seats until the next General Election without having to resign and face a fresh vote with them standing as TIG candidates.

However, the situation is distinctly at odds with Wollaston’s previous views on rebel MPs.

For, in 2011, she co-sponsored a backbench Bill to make it compulsory for MPs who switch parties to resign immediately and face a byelection. Wollaston was chosen as Tory candidate for Totnes, Devon, in 2010 in a rarely-held primary, with postal ballot papers being sent to every voter in the Totnes constituency rather than just to Tory Party members.

It led to her being regarded with suspicion by some of her former Conservative colleagues.

There has been much talk that the Gang of 11 should follow the example of two previous rebels.

Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless defected from the Tories to Ukip in 2014, but stepped down to face by-elections. Impressed by their principled stand, voters returned both men to Parliament.

So, will Wollaston take the risk, or leave herself open to accusations of hypocrisy?