Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election, 2016

Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election, 2016
United Kingdom
8 December 2016
 
Candidate Dr Caroline Johnson Jim Clarke Victoria Ayling
Party Conservative Labour UKIP
 
Candidate Ross Pepper Marianne Overton
Party Liberal Democrat Lincolnshire Independents

Location of Sleaford and North Hykeham within Lincolnshire
MP before election

Stephen Phillips
Conservative

 Elected MP

TBD

The Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election is a by-election in the constituency of Sleaford and North Hykeham scheduled to be held on 8 December 2016.[1] It was triggered by the resignation of Conservative MP Stephen Phillips on 4 November 2016.

Background

Phillips had backed Brexit at the 2016 referendum, but criticised the Conservative government under Prime Minister Theresa May for failing to consult Parliament sufficiently.

In his resignation letter to his local Conservative Association, Phillips set out three policy areas where he had fallen out with the Government, including: “its failure to appreciate the constitutional necessity of properly consulting Parliament” on leaving the EU; “the continued shirking of our responsibility for unaccompanied child refugees who have been forced to flee war and conflict;“ and, “the way in which international aid is now apparently to be used other than to assist some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.”

He then concluded, saying, "It has become clear to me over the last few months that my growing and very significant policy differences with the current government mean that I am unable properly to represent the people who elected me".[2]

The Richmond Park by-election was held one week before and saw the Liberal Democrats win the seat from the Conservatives on a substantial swing.

Candidates and campaign

The Conservative campaign started on 5 November, with a candidate to be chosen on 10 November.[3][4] Dr Caroline Johnson, a consultant paediatrician, was selected following a hustings. She stood in Scunthorpe at the 2010 General Election.[5]

The Labour Party selected Jim Clarke, a refuse collector and former postman.[3]

At least four individuals put themselves forth to be UKIP's candidate: the Lincolnshire County Councillors Richard Davies, Robin Hunter-Clarke and Victoria Ayling, and the party leadership candidate Suzanne Evans.[6] Hunter-Clarke pulled out of the contest.[5] Ayling was selected;[7] she stood for UKIP in the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner election, 2016 (coming second to the Conservatives) and in the Great Grimsby constituency in 2015 (coming third). She had previously stood in Great Grimsby in 2010 as the Conservative candidate (coming second to Labour).

The Liberal Democrats selected Ross Pepper on 11 November.[8] He stood in Lincoln in 2015.

Also standing are Peter Hill, also known as The Iconic Arty-Pole, of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party; and Mark Suffield, a North Kesteven district councillor, who is standing as an independent.[3]

Sarah Stock is standing as an independent on a "Save the NHS" platform. The Green Party has declared that it will not be fielding a candidate, but will instead be supporting Stock.[9]

The Statement of Persons Nominated released in November 2016 confirmed as[10]

Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election, 2016[3][11][12][13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Monster Raving Loony The Iconic Arty-Pole N/A
UKIP Victoria Ayling
Bus-Pass Elvis Party David Bishop
Labour Jim Clarke
No label Paul Coyne
Conservative Dr Caroline Johnson
Lincolnshire Independents Marianne Overton
Liberal Democrat Ross Pepper
Independent Sarah Stock N/A
No label Mark Suffield N/A

2015 result

General Election 2015: Sleaford and North Hykeham[14][15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Stephen Phillips 34,805 56.2 +4.6
Labour Jason Pandya-Wood 10,690 17.3 +0.4
UKIP Steven Hopkins 9,716 15.7 +12.1
Liberal Democrat Matthew Holden 3,500 5.7 -12.5
Lincolnshire Independents Marianne Overton 3,233 5.2 -1.2
Majority 24,115 38.9
Turnout 61,944 70.2
Conservative hold Swing +2.1

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lincolnshire Reporter, http://lincolnshirereporter.co.uk/2016/11/date-set-for-sleaford-and-north-hykeham-by-election/
  2. ↑ "Tory MP Stephen Phillips quits over 'irreconcilable differences'". BBC News. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Pidluznyj, Stefan (10 November 2016). "First three candidates come forward for Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election". Lincolnshire Reporter. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  4. ↑ http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/conservatives-begin-campaigning-for-stephen-phillips-former-sleaford-and-north-hykeham-seat-1-7665292
  5. 1 2 Russell, Sadie (11 November 2016). "Conservatives select doctor for Sleaford and North Hykeham MP". Llincolnshire Live. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  6. ↑ http://www.sleafordstandard.co.uk/news/update-ukip-candidate-victoria-ayling-joins-richard-davies-robin-hunter-clarke-and-suzanne-evans-in-showing-interest-in-sleaford-and-north-hykeham-seat-1-7664719
  7. ↑ Smith, Mikey (13 November 2016). "Ukip selects candidate who made 'send the lot back' video in Westminster by-election". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  8. ↑ http://www.markpack.org.uk/146292/lib-dems-select-ross-pepper-sleaford-north-hykeham-election/
  9. ↑ "Green Party supports NHS campaigner in Sleaford & North Hykeham byelection". www.sleafordstandard.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  10. ↑ Sleaford and North Hykeham
  11. ↑ http://lincolnshirereporter.co.uk/2016/11/first-three-candidates-come-forward-sleaford-north-hykeham-election/
  12. ↑ http://www.markpack.org.uk/146292/lib-dems-select-ross-pepper-sleaford-north-hykeham-election/
  13. ↑ http://www.lincsfm.co.uk/news/local-news/ukip-members-vying-for-chance-at-sleaford-and-north-hykeham-seat
  14. ↑ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  15. ↑ "Sleaford and North Hykeham parliamentary constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
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