NO BY-ELECTION FOR MP ON HIS THIRD PARTY IN SIX YEARS

LEE Anderson’s decision to join Reform UK has prompted calls for a by-election for his Ashfield seat, where he was elected in 2019 as a Conservative.

There is no requirement for MPS to stand down if they defect from their original party, as they are formally elected as an individual rather than a party representative.

There have been several attempts to change that, mainly Bills introduced by backbench MPS, but none has so far been successful. In the past, MPS have been reluctant to put themselves to the test of a by-election after switching allegiance, especially as it is rare for defectors to keep their seats.

Since the last election, there have been five defections, none resulting in a by-election.

But in 2014 Conservative MPS Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless not only defected to Ukip but resigned their seats in a deliberate bid to trigger by-elections.

The move resulted in re-election for both, adding pressure on David Cameron to include the promise of a referendum on EU membership in the 2015 Tory manifesto.

Prior to that, no defector had kept their seat since 2005.

Mr Anderson has ruled out the possibility of a by-election, citing the impending general election.

He said: “It would be pretty reckless for me to suggest a by-election when we could have a general election in May.”

But he previously backed calls for MPS who switch parties to stand down and fight a by-election.

In September 2020, he voted for Tory MP Anthony Mangnall’s Recall of MPS (Change of Party Affiliation) Bill, which would have introduced such a requirement.

Reacting to Mr Anderson’s defection this week, Mr Mangnall tweeted: “I hope he is calling a by-election.”