By-election on cards to replace late MP
THE sudden death of Sir Tony Lloyd means there is no longer an MP representing Rochdale in Parliament.
The 73-year-old had been receiving treatment for a form of blood cancer before it developed into an ‘aggressive and untreatable form of leukaemia.’
Last Wednesday the veteran politician died ‘peacefully,’ ‘surrounded by his family.’
Tributes have been pouring in for the Stretford-born political stalwart who held several posts in Greater Manchester over the last 45 years, including a spell as the city-region’s first interim mayor before Andy Burnham was elected in 2017.
A minute’s silence was held in the House of Commons on Thursday morning in memory of Sir Tony who has represented three constituencies as an MP.
A by-election is expected to take place in the Rochdale constituency to replace the late MP. However, the date has not been decided.
Usually, the chief whip of the political party whose MP held the vacant seat starts the process by ‘moving the writ.’ This means the Labour Party will have to formally request the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, calls a by-election in Rochdale.
A new writ is usually issued within three months of the vacancy, but there have been cases where seats have remained vacant for longer than six months.
Seats are often left vacant towards the end of a Parliamentary term and filled at the next general election.
The next general election is likely to be held this year with the Prime Minister suggesting earlier this month that it would take place in the second half of the year.
Local Labour sources have said a by-election could be called in May to coincide with the council elections.
The process of moving the writ usually gets under way after the funeral of the late MP has been held.
However, the by-election could be called before the funeral takes place although, out of respect, this would typically only
happen if the family agrees to the move.
Once the writ is issued, a by-election must be held within 21 to 27 working days. Meanwhile, political parties will have to select the candidates that will stand in the by-election.
Sir Tony secured a majority of nearly 10,000 when he was last elected as Rochdale’s MP in 2019.
Labour has not set out a timetable for when it will select a candidate yet, but sspeculation has already
started over who will be standing.
Some Rochdale councillors are expected to put themselves forward for the role, with other politicians in Greater Manchester also said to be considering the position.
But the Labour Party could also look at putting people from outside of the city-region on the shortlist.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham was previously rumoured to have his eyes on the seat alongside
several other seats in the North West when he was said to be considering a come back to Westminster.
However, the former Leigh MP denied claims he was preparing for a return to Parliament at the time and he has since confirmed that he will be seeking reelection as mayor in May.
At the next general election, the size of the constituency will be reduced with the Spotland and Falinge ward set to be moved to
Heywood and Middleton North.
However, if a by-election is called before that, the current constituency boundaries will still apply.
According to the UK Parliament website, until an election, an MP of the same party in a neighbouring constituency manages constituency matters.
The Observer understands that staff at Sir Tony’s constituency office will remain in post for the time being.