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Second Tory MP in party deselection battle

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Some late-night Friday drama in the West Midlands. The selection committee of the Stafford Conservative Association have tonight passed a motion to prevent incumbent MP Theo Clarke from being their candidate next time around. Clarke was elected in 2019 and resigned her role as a government trade envoy last July in protest at Boris Johnson’s leadership. She returned on Monday from six months of maternity leave. In a statement tonight she said:

I have only returned from maternity leave this week and I have been very disappointed by the abuse that i have received since i announced I was having a baby. The selection committee have made their decision and it is my full intention to go [to] the membership.

It is the second successful deselection motion by a local executive, following Sally Ann-Hart’s earlier this month in Hastings. Both Clarke and Hastings are to face ballots from the full membership of their respective associations, as per the party rule book.

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Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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