[Tubby Isaacs]

Pincher has lost his appeal, petition can now start. I wouldn't think it would be that hard to get 10% signatures.
The seat would be gained by Labour on a 21.3% swing- they got 23.7% in Selby.

One issue for the Tories is that the prospective candidate in 2024 is Eddie Hughes, MP for Walsall North (which is being abolished). So if Eddie Hughes runs, he has to resign from Walsall North and trigger another by-election. That means somebody has to run this time in Tamworth, who'll get a year and a bit as MP if they win, then have to stand down.

Going to be quite the signal if Hughes doesn't run this time.

[mattomac]

Apparently Eddie won’t be running.

Would be lovely if Labour won and then regained it. If Eddie doesn’t they might as well run a paper candidate as Labour have been given a great attack line.

[Abernathy]

What a glorious dilemma for a prick like Eddie Hughes to be faced with.

Just wondering about the rules. If Hughes has already been selected as the Tories ‘ candidate for Tamworth, and they then select a different candidate to contest the by-election , doesn’t Hughes need to contest the selection for the GE all over again? Assuming Labour wins the by-election.

[Tubby Isaacs]

As I understand it, Hughes is the general election candidate. He'll keep out of the way, and expect someone to take the custard pie this time. He's got nothing to gain by resigning Walsall North and running here.

[mattomac]

I’m not sure it’s a clever move though.

Gives Labour plenty of attack lines and isn’t Tamworth another that has benefited Labour like Selby with more favourable boundaries. The Tories will have to run as many seats as local elections as the national picture is grim