UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour MP Mike Amesbury resigns after assault conviction, triggering a by-election in Runcorn and Helsby, challenging Keir Starmer as Reform UK gains ground.
Mike Amesbury’s resignation forced Keir Starmer into his first by-election as prime minister. For the first time, he will face Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
Last month, he was suspended by Labour and received a 10-week suspended jail term after punching a constituent while drunk in the street.
What did Mike Amesbury say about his assault conviction?
In an interview, Mike Amesbury announced plans to resign from Parliament “as soon as possible” after receiving a suspended jail sentence.
He said,
“I’m going to step aside at the earliest opportunity,”
adding,
“I’ve got processes I must go through – there’s a statutory process in terms of redundancies.”
Despite serving time, Mike Amesbury justified taking his MP salary while behind bars, stating that he continued casework from prison and that his office manager sent him correspondence.
He stated, “Life doesn’t stop as an MP.” Amesbury served three nights in custody after admitting to attacking 45-year-old Paul Fellows. He was released after a successful appeal.
Mr Amesbury said that he would have tried to stay in Parliament if he had been given a lesser penalty. Meanwhile, he admitted that he had been “punished accordingly” for the drunken incident.
He admitted he would lose his family home, his career, and the lasting impact of a criminal record after his conviction.
Runcorn by-election tests Keir Starmer amid Labour’s decline
The by-election in Runcorn and Helsby presents a significant challenge for Keir Starmer, with Labour’s poll numbers slipping due to the Labour leader’s controversial decisions since the general election.
The Reform UK party has set its sights on the north-west seat, with surveys showing a strong chance of victory following their rise since the general election. Labour may find some relief as the party faces internal disputes, particularly between Nigel Farage and MP Rupert Lowe.
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK came second in the last general election with 7,662 votes (Labour’s 22,358 votes).
What did Zia Yusuf say about Amesbury’s resignation?
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK chairman, urged Amesbury to immediately resign as an MP, allowing the by-election to proceed without delay.
He stated, “Today Mike Amesbury has been sentenced to 10 weeks in prison,” adding, “The great people of Runcorn deserve far better than waiting six weeks for a recall petition to take place.”
Mr Yuusf stated,
“We call on Mike Amesbury to do the honourable thing and resign immediately so a by-election can be held.”
What did the Labour spokesperson say about Amesbury and the by-election?
A representative from the Labour Party demanded a by-election, stating that Amesbury pleaded guilty and was sentenced.
He added,
“Local residents in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency deserve better, and we look forward to them getting the representation they deserve in the future with a new Labour MP.”
What led to Amesbury’s assault admission?
During a January hearing, he admitted to assaulting Mr Fellows on Main Street.
After drinking, Amesbury arrived at the taxi rank, where the 45-year-old confronted him regarding the bridge closure.
The CCTV footage revealed Amesbury hitting Mr. Fellows on the head, knocking him down, and then following him onto the road, where he continued punching him.
The court has ordered Mike Amesbury to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, a 12-month alcohol monitoring period, anger management sessions, and 20 days of rehabilitation work.
A recent petition could have triggered a recall that might have led to a by-election. However, Mr. Amesbury chose to step down before being forced out by voters.