Tory grassroots campaign wants Mak deselected
Alan Mak, MP for Havant, has been listed as one of 10 MPs who “aren’t actually being Conservative”.
A Tory grassroots campaign is urging party members to deselect 10 sitting MPs for not upholding “proper Conservative values”.
The Conservative Post listed “the first 10 MPs members want deselected” as prospective parliamentary candidates for the next general election.
Campaigners say the party’s candidate department has been “weeding out” centreright Conservatives while “pushing liberal centrists”.
The campaign urges members to write a letter of no confidence to their local Conservative association, copying in The Conservative Post so they can keep a tally of how many letters they sent.
If 10 per cent of the members of the association send a letter of no confidence, it can trigger a special general meeting to consider the motion for deselection.
The motion being proposed at the meeting allows members to vote either in favour or against supporting their parliamentary candidate. If the motion is passed, the association will consider the status of their parliamentary candidate as vacant.
Two Hampshire MPs were listed, including Mr Mak.
In response to the campaign, Mark Inster, the chairman of Havant Conservatives, defended Mr Mak’s post.
“Alan has the full support of Havant Conservatives because he is an outstanding local MP and a strong, lifelong Conservative,” he said.
“His voting record, Conservative values, and support for Boris, who appointed Alan a minister, speak for themselves.”
Mr Mak was approached for comment.