A by-election is triggered by the Chief Whip of the party that held the seat, it's nothing to do with the MP who's leaving.superfrank wrote: ↑Fri Jun 21, 2019 1:07 pmWhy haven't the likes of Chukka Umunna and Anna Soubry called by-elections after switching party?
Both Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless triggered by-elections when they moved from the Tories to UKIP.
Chukka would need 2 by-elections!superfrank wrote: ↑Fri Jun 21, 2019 1:07 pmwhy haven't the likes of Chukka Umunna … called by-elections after switching party?
Not true.ShaunWhite wrote: ↑Fri Jun 21, 2019 2:44 pmA by-election is triggered by the Chief Whip of the party that held the seat, it's nothing to do with the MP who's leaving.
The Tories thought the Carswell and Douglas seats we're takable, but obviously didn't when Sourbry moved.
It's the rules of the game, an MP can't call a by-election no more than you can.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_CarswellOn 28 August 2014, Carswell defected from the Conservatives to the UK Independence Party. Although not required to do so, he resigned his seat as an MP, thus triggering a by-election.
I'm not sure Shaun. You are correct in saying "it's The Chief Whip of the political party whose MP held the vacant seat starts the process of a by-election" (https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/ele ... elections/) but there is no vacant seat until the MP resigns (or dies, is declared bankrupt, is unable to carry out their duties due to mental illness or is convicted of a serious criminal offence.) And on a matter of timing who is the Chief Whip for an MP who has resigned the Whip? Maybe it depends on the order of events … resign the seat followed by resign the Whip or resign the Whip followed by resign the seat!ShaunWhite wrote: ↑Fri Jun 21, 2019 2:44 pmA by-election is triggered by the Chief Whip of the party that held the seat, it's nothing to do with the MP who's leaving.
The Tories thought the Carswell and Douglas seats we're takable, but obviously didn't when Sourbry moved.
It's the rules of the game, an MP can't call a by-election no more than you can.
I'll stand corrected on this point of order.firlandsfarm wrote: ↑Fri Jun 21, 2019 3:00 pmresign the seat followed by resign the Whip or resign the Whip followed by resign the seat!
Chukka, Soubry et al could resign and trigger by-elections if they so wished. What Shaun said in post 2 was effectively false.Dallas wrote: ↑Fri Jun 21, 2019 3:21 pmI have no idea at all on the actual rules but automatically assumed that because of the number of times both Chucka and Soubry have been asked to call a by-election instead of giving excuses - wouldn't they just say I'm not allowed to if it wasn't within their power?
Yep my comment was wrong, and yours that went on about how everyone you like is so awesome, and how everyone else is scum is completely true.
I shouldn't even be on here. I'm suposed to be mowing.