Ahead of the imminent 2024 General Election, which could be held at any point this year, February 15th brings about two by-elections in the constituencies of Wellingborough and Kingswood. In Wellingborough, the previous MP was Conservative Peter Bone, who served as MP for Wellingborough from May 2005 to December 2023. He was removed after a complaint, and subsequent report found that he had committed acts of bullying and one act of sexual assault.
Bone denied the claims, but he lost the Conservative whip, and the recall petition was successful meaning he lost his right to the seat. In Kingswood, it is Conservative Chris Skidmore’s seat that needs replacing. He served as MP for Kingswood from May 2010 to January 2024, having resigned from the position in a protest against the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill, which threatens to set back previous net zero targets.
Skidmore, a previous minister in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy claimed the relaxation of net zero targets was “the greatest mistake of [Sunak’s] premiership”. These by-elections hold significance due to their proximity to the upcoming election. Labour and the opposition see it as an opportunity to claim precious ground and enhance their standing as the potential future governing party.
Labour successes would also be a clear indicator of the party’s lead over the Conservatives. Campaigning efforts have been ramping up, with Damien Egan, Labour’s Kingwood candidate looking to take control of the region and overturn the 11,000 Conservative majority that was won in 2019. Kingswood has been known to swing between Labour and Conservatives over the last 50 years, and since the Kingswood constituency is set to be abolished at the General Election due to new boundary changes, Egan is keen to take the chance and give Labour a last attempt in the area.
Gen Kitchen, Labour candidate for Wellingborough is keen to win given her loss against Conservative Andrea Leadsom in the South Northamptonshire constituency in 2019. She hopes to overturn the 18,540 majority, claiming “Labour has a plan to tackle these issues that impact so many here, but I will start by giving Wellingborough a voice in Westminster and working hard to restore pride in our town and villages.” The Conservatives are keen to retain control however, with Peter Bone’s partner Helen Harrison running as the Conservative candidate in Wellingborough. Sam Bromiley, Conservative candidate for Kingswood hopes his experience as South Gloucestershire councillor and his lifelong residency in Kingswood will provide voters with confidence, claiming the protection of green spaces is a priority.
He stated “I will work hard to stop Labour’s disastrous plan to build on the greenbelt. I want to work with our local community rather than imposing further unwanted developments upon them”. Either way, it is clear that all political parties will be watching carefully and hoping for some post-valentines love on February 15th, with these elections being key predictors ahead of the general election.