Countdown to general election
Maidenhead: The race to become the town’s next MP
Political parties vying for Theresa May’s Maidenhead MP seat have reacted to the news she will not stand for re-election.
The Lib Dems, who swept to power in the local elections last year as the Conservatives suffered heavy losses, believe they are the ‘clear challenger’ as they look to end 27 years of
Tory representation since the Maidenhead seat was created.
Furze Platt councillor
Josh Reynolds will be running for the party.
He paid tribute to Mrs
May, and said ‘you don’t have a 27-year tenure as an MP if you’re not committed to a certain area and Maidenhead and its people’.
But he added: “The reality is that Theresa stood down at a time when lots of people are very unhappy with the Conservatives and Conservative Government.
“Lifelong Tories that we’re speaking to have drifted away from the Conservatives and are moving to the Lib Dems in Maidenhead – they can see that we’re the clear challenger.”
The Royal Borough’s local elections in 2023 saw voters oust a Tory majority council in favour of the Lib Dems, leaving just seven elected Conservative members.
Mr Reynolds said he hoped his party’s success on a local level would be repeated in a General Election.
“I know Theresa was a very popular local MP,” he added.
“We were hearing time and time again, voters saying they voted for Theresa but not wanting to be Conservative supporters.
“All of those voters now are looking for something new and looking to see what we can do.”
While the Lib Dems are hoping to be successful in Maidenhead, on a national level it is Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party who hold a commanding lead in the polls.
Labour has yet to confirm its representative in the Maidenhead parliamentary race but is currently considering its candidates.
Jo Smith, member of Maidenhead Labour Executive, said: “Theresa May’s decision to step down is perhaps unsurprising given the public opinion of the Conservative party at this point in time.
“It is clear that the British electorate want change, and it is the Labour party that can deliver that with specific, costed and ambitious plans for boosting the economy, building more homes, getting NHS waiting lists down and dealing effectively with immigration.”
Recent polling data for Maidenhead by Electoral Calculus had shown it was a ‘two-horse race’ between
The Tories and Labour, said Ms Smith.
She added: “Theresa May's legacy in the Maidenhead constituency will include the scandal of sewerage in our river; the massive increase in foodbank usage and the appalling fact of asylum seekers being stuck in hotels.
“Maidenhead is ready for change.”
The Green Party is also set to contest the Maidenhead seat with its representative Andrew Cooney who said it was ‘disappointing’ parties would not get the chance to fight for election against a ‘big-name’ like Mrs May.
Mr Cooney added: “It does feel like there’s been some seismic change with how the Tories are doing in the polls, but how much – we’ll have to see.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Maidenhead Conservative Association chair Bill Perry said: “Theresa has been an exceptional MP for her constituency and has worked tirelessly for the Association. She has held two great Offices of State as Home Secretary and Prime Minister with great distinction.”
Mr Perry added Maidenhead Conservatives would continue to work with Mrs May to ensure her successor in Parliament would be a Conservative.
A general election is expected to take place later this year.