BY-ELECTION SET FOLLOWING MP AMESBURY’S RESIGNATION – MP Mike Amesbury’s departure will allow constituents to vote for a new representative in Parliament
A by-election will take place in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency after MP Mike Amesbury announced plans to resign. His departure will allow constituents to vote for a new representative in Parliament.
Amesbury, who was suspended from the Labour Party, was sentenced to 10 weeks in jail on February 24 after pleading guilty to assaulting 45-year-old Paul Fellows in Cheshire last October. However, following an appeal, his sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he will not serve time in prison.
Speaking to reporters, Amesbury stated he would begin the formal process of closing his office before officially resigning “as soon as possible.” His resignation will mark the first by-election under Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government.
Reform UK had already been eyeing the seat before Amesbury’s sentencing and is currently favored to win, with Labour trailing as the second choice among bookmakers.
Under parliamentary rules, an MP receiving a prison sentence—whether served or suspended—triggers a recall petition, allowing constituents to vote on whether to remove their representative. However, since Amesbury is stepping down voluntarily, a recall petition will not be required, and the by-election will proceed automatically.
