2021 North Shropshire by-election
{{Short description|UK parliament by-election}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2021 North Shropshire by-election
| type = parliamentary
| seats_for_election = North Shropshire constituency
| turnout = 46.2% ({{decrease}} 21.7 pp)
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2019 United Kingdom general election
| previous_year = 2019
| next_election = 2024 United Kingdom general election
| next_year = 2024
| election_date = 16 December 2021
| candidate1 = {{nowrap|Helen Morgan}}
| image1 = Official portrait of Helen Morgan MP crop.jpg
| party1 = Liberal Democrats (UK)
| last_election1 = 10.0%
| popular_vote1 = 17,957
| percentage1 = 47.2%
| swing1 = {{increase}}37.2 pp
| candidate2 = {{nowrap|Neil Shastri-Hurst}}
| image2 = Neil Shastri-Hurst.jpg
| party2 = Conservative Party (UK)
| last_election2 = 62.7%
| popular_vote2 = 12,032
| percentage2 = 31.6%
| swing2 = {{decrease}}31.1 pp
| candidate3 = {{nowrap|Ben Wood}}
| image3 = {{eppt|Labour Party (UK)}}
| party3 = Labour Party (UK)
| last_election3 = 22.1%
| popular_vote3 = 3,686
| percentage3 = 9.7%
| swing3 = {{decrease}}12.4 pp
| title = MP
| before_election = Owen Paterson
| before_party = Conservative Party (UK)
| after_election = Helen Morgan
| after_party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
| country = United Kingdom
}}
A by-election for the United Kingdom parliamentary constituency of North Shropshire was held on 16 December 2021. It was triggered by the resignation of the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Owen Paterson on 5 November 2021. The by-election was won by Helen Morgan, with a 34% swing from the Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats.
It was the party's second gain from the Conservatives since the 2019 general election following their victory at Chesham and Amersham in June 2021.{{Cite news|title=Tories lose North Shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years|work=BBC News|date=17 December 2021|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-59693102|access-date=17 December 2021|archive-date=17 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217084843/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-59693102|url-status=live}} The party gained a third seat from the Conservatives at Tiverton and Honiton, in June 2022.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jun/24/tories-lose-byelections-wakefield-tiverton-honiton-labour-lib-dems |title=Tories lose two key byelections on same night in Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton |first=Peter |last=Walker |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 June 2022 |access-date=4 July 2022}}
Background
= Constituency =
North Shropshire is the third-largest constituency by area in the West Midlands region.{{Cite news|date=25 November 2021|title=North Shropshire: What to expect from an unexpected by-election|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-59422379|access-date=27 November 2021|archive-date=27 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127105428/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-59422379|url-status=live}} It contains five small towns (in size order): Oswestry, Market Drayton, Whitchurch, Wem and Ellesmere. Sixty per cent of constituents who turned out voted to leave the European Union in the 2016 EU referendum.{{Cite web|title=Seat Details - Shropshire North|url=https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Shropshire%20North|access-date=3 December 2021|website=www.electoralcalculus.co.uk|archive-date=3 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203142054/https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Shropshire%20North|url-status=live}}
The by-election was the sixth of the 2019 Parliament.{{Cite web|title=By-elections since the 2019 General Election|url=https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/elections-and-voting/by-elections/by-elections-2019/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509185050/https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/elections-and-voting/by-elections/by-elections-2019/|archive-date=9 May 2021|access-date=8 October 2021|website=UK Parliament}} The last time a seat changed hands at a by-election in the area was at the 1904 Oswestry by-election, in which there was a Liberal gain from Conservative.{{Cite web|last=Neal|first=Toby|title=Ten by-election shocks which made their mark on history|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/12/13/by-election-shocks-which-made-their-mark-on-history/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Shropshire Star|language=en|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215134154/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/12/13/by-election-shocks-which-made-their-mark-on-history/}}
= Trigger =
On 5 November 2021, Owen Paterson resigned as MP for the constituency. In October, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards found that he had breached paid advocacy rules in relation to two companies which employed him as a paid consultant.{{cite web|date=26 October 2021|title=Committee on Standards publish report on the conduct of Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP|url=https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/290/committee-on-standards/news/158246/committee-on-standards-publish-report-on-the-conduct-of-rt-hon-owen-paterson-mp/|access-date=26 October 2021|publisher=UK Parliament|archive-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026112117/https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/290/committee-on-standards/news/158246/committee-on-standards-publish-report-on-the-conduct-of-rt-hon-owen-paterson-mp/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=4 November 2021|title=Boris Johnson 'very sad' about 'friend for decades' Owen Paterson's resignation|work=ITV News|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2021-11-04/owen-paterson-resigns-as-mp-after-avoiding-suspension-over-lobbying|access-date=10 November 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109211936/https://www.itv.com/news/2021-11-04/owen-paterson-resigns-as-mp-after-avoiding-suspension-over-lobbying|url-status=live}} The Commons Standards Committee considered the commissioners' findings and recommended that Paterson be suspended from parliament for 30 days.{{cite news|last=Vaughan|first=Richard|date=26 October 2021|title=Former cabinet minister faces 30-day suspension for 'egregious' breach of lobbying rules|work=i|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/tory-mp-owen-paterson-hits-back-faces-30-day-suspension-flouting-lobbying-rules-1268153|access-date=26 October 2021|archive-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026105816/https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/tory-mp-owen-paterson-hits-back-faces-30-day-suspension-flouting-lobbying-rules-1268153|url-status=live}} In line with the established process, on 3 November a motion was proposed in the Commons inviting MPs to approve the punishment.{{Cite news|last=Allegretti|first=Aubrey|date=26 October 2021|title=MP Owen Paterson faces suspension for breaking lobbying rules|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/oct/26/owen-paterson-faces-suspension-breaking-lobbying-rules|access-date=26 October 2021|archive-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026084613/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/oct/26/owen-paterson-faces-suspension-breaking-lobbying-rules|url-status=live}} If the suspension had been approved, a recall petition would have been triggered in the constituency.{{cite news |last1=Allegretti |first1=Aubrey |title=Why are stakes so high in Owen Paterson suspension vote? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/nov/02/why-stakes-so-high-owen-paterson-suspension-vote |access-date=4 November 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=2 November 2021 |archive-date=3 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103190813/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/nov/02/why-stakes-so-high-owen-paterson-suspension-vote |url-status=live }}
Paterson denied any wrongdoing.{{cite news|last=Andrews|first=Mark|title=North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson denies breaking lobbying rules|work=Shropshire Star|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2019/04/09/mp-denies-breaking-lobbying-rules/|access-date=8 April 2019|archive-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408150452/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2019/04/09/mp-denies-breaking-lobbying-rules/|url-status=live}} An amendment to the motion was put forward by Conservative backbencher Andrea Leadsom to postpone consideration of Paterson's suspension and to set up a new committee to investigate the disciplinary process for MPs.{{Cite news|date=3 November 2021|title=Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-59154221|access-date=3 November 2021|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103160158/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-59154221|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2021/nov/03/uk-politics-live-labour-criticises-pm-as-tories-urged-to-vote-down-paterson-lobbying-inquiry-findings?page=with:block-618258f08f08f41c7ee2fd63#block-618258f08f08f41c7ee2fd63|title = UK politics: Tory vote to protect Owen Paterson 'an absolute disgrace', says Labour – as it happened|work = The Guardian|date = 3 November 2021|last1 = Sparrow|first1 = Andrew|access-date = 10 November 2021|archive-date = 10 November 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211110114814/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2021/nov/03/uk-politics-live-labour-criticises-pm-as-tories-urged-to-vote-down-paterson-lobbying-inquiry-findings?page=with:block-618258f08f08f41c7ee2fd63#block-618258f08f08f41c7ee2fd63|url-status = live}} The government of Boris Johnson supported the amendment and issued a three-line whip. The amendment was passed. The outcome caused outrage among opposition MPs, and an angry public reaction to press reports. As a result, on 4 November, the government reversed its position and announced that a vote would still take place on whether Paterson should be suspended.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59163961 |title=Owen Paterson row: Government U-turn over MPs' conduct plan |work=BBC News |date=4 November 2021 |access-date=4 November 2021 |archive-date=4 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104105140/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59163961 |url-status=live }} Following that decision, Paterson announced his intention to resign his seat on 4 November.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59167783 |title=Tory MP Owen Paterson resigns amid standards row |work=BBC News |date=4 November 2021 |access-date=4 November 2021 |archive-date=4 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104144530/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59167783 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|title=Owen Paterson resigns as MP after government U-turn on sleaze committee|work=Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/owen-paterson-resigns-quit-latest-b1951504.html|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104143854/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/owen-paterson-resigns-quit-latest-b1951504.html|url-status=live}}
Paterson was appointed as Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of NorthsteadA device for handling a resignation, see Resignation from the British House of Commons on 5 November.{{Cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/11/05/what-next-as-north-shropshire-by-election-is-officially-confirmed/ |work=Shropshire Star |title=What next as North Shropshire by-election is officially confirmed? |date=5 November 2021 |access-date=8 November 2021 |archive-date=8 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108153833/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/11/05/what-next-as-north-shropshire-by-election-is-officially-confirmed/ |url-status=live }} The writ of election was moved by Conservative Chief Whip Mark Spencer on 9 November.{{Cite web |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-11-09/debates/21110950000006/BUSINESSBEFOREQUESTIONS |title=Business Before Questions |website=Hansard |publisher=UK Parliament |date=9 November 2021 |accessdate=27 November 2021 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127113054/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-11-09/debates/21110950000006/BUSINESSBEFOREQUESTIONS |url-status=live }} The by-election took place on 16 December.{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59218830|title = December date for Owen Paterson replacement by-election|work = BBC News|date = 9 November 2021|access-date = 9 November 2021|archive-date = 9 November 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211109142134/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59218830|url-status = live}}
Candidates
There were 14 candidates in the by-election.{{cite news|title=North Shropshire by-election 2021: The candidates standing|date=2 December 2021|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-59289032|accessdate=17 December 2021|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215140630/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-59289032|url-status=live}}
On 4 November, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party had discussions about possibly standing aside in the by-election and backing a joint independent "anti-sleaze" candidate.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59167967 |title=Parties may stand aside in by-election to replace MP Owen Paterson |work=BBC News |date=4 November 2021 |access-date=4 November 2021 |archive-date=4 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104212149/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59167967 |url-status=live }} This had previously happened in the seat of Tatton at the 1997 general election where independent candidate Martin Bell beat Neil Hamilton. Bell was approached by the Liberal Democrats ahead of the by-election in North Shropshire, but declined to stand.{{Cite news|last=Madeley|first=Peter|date=11 November 2021|title=Former anti-sleaze MP Martin Bell rejects offer to stand for Lib Dems in North Shropshire|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/11/11/former-anti-sleaze-mp-martin-bell-rejects-offer-to-stand-for-lib-dems-in-north-shropshire/|url-status=live|access-date=12 December 2021|work=Shropshire Star|archive-date=12 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212104457/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/11/11/former-anti-sleaze-mp-martin-bell-rejects-offer-to-stand-for-lib-dems-in-north-shropshire/}} Labour, and subsequently the Liberal Democrats, announced that they would be standing their own candidates.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-59167967|title=Owen Paterson: Labour rules out cross-party by-election candidate|work=BBC News|date=5 November 2021|access-date=5 November 2021|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105230139/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-59167967|url-status=live}}
On 6 November, Reform UK announced their candidate as Kirsty Walmsley, who was previously a councillor on Shropshire Council for the Conservative Party, which her father Keith Barrow led on the Council. Walmsley said, "I would never had {{sic}} stood against Owen Paterson. He is a man of integrity who had worked hard for North Shropshire."{{Cite news|last=Austin|first=Sue|title=First candidate in North Shropshire by-election confirmed as ex-council leader's daughter|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/11/06/first-candidate-in-north-shropshire-by-election-confirmed-as-ex-council-leaders-daughter/|access-date=7 November 2021|work=Shropshire Star|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107031727/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/11/06/first-candidate-in-north-shropshire-by-election-confirmed-as-ex-council-leaders-daughter/|url-status=live}}
On 13 November, the Conservatives picked their candidate, Neil Shastri-Hurst, from a three-person shortlist. Shastri-Hurst is a barrister, former British Army Medical Officer and honorary NHS consultant. His links to the constituency relate to his time training at Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital near Oswestry and a period stationed at the Tern Hill barracks near Market Drayton. Also on the shortlist were local Shropshire Councillor for Worfield (in Ludlow constituency), Richard Marshall and Birmingham City Councillor Charlotte Hodivala.{{Cite news|last=Robertson|first=Dominic|title=North Shropshire by-election: Tories select Birmingham barrister as candidate|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/north-shropshire/2021/11/13/conservatives-select-north-shropshire-candidate/|access-date=13 November 2021|work=Shropshire Star|archive-date=13 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113133631/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/north-shropshire/2021/11/13/conservatives-select-north-shropshire-candidate/|url-status=live}}
The Shropshire Star reported Labour's shortlist for the candidacy included Graeme Currie (previous Labour candidate), David Hallam (previously Herefordshire and Shropshire MEP) and Kuldip Sahota (former Telford and Wrekin Council leader, who actually did not apply).{{Cite news |title=Labour plots North Shropshire success as Keir Starmer announces by-election plan |work=Shropshire Star |date=9 November 2021 |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/11/09/north-shropshire-by-election-keir-starmer-announces-labours-plan-for-targeting-seat/ |access-date=9 November 2021 |archive-date=9 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109115954/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/11/09/north-shropshire-by-election-keir-starmer-announces-labours-plan-for-targeting-seat/ |url-status=live }} On 14 November, the Labour Party announced their candidate to be Ben Wood from Oswestry.{{Cite news|date=14 November 2021|title=Labour announces North Shropshire by-election candidate|work=BBC West Midlands|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-59281956|access-date=14 November 2021|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114183010/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-59281956|url-status=live}} Graeme Currie, the Labour candidate in the seat for the 2015 to 2019 general elections, was blocked from the party's shortlist of candidates and said he would resign from the party in response.{{Cite news|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/11/14/betrayed-and-abused-labours-previous-north-shropshire-candidate-not-shortlisted-for-by-election/|title='Betrayed and abused': Labour's previous North Shropshire candidate not shortlisted for by-election|work=Shropshire Star|date=14 November 2021|access-date=15 November 2021|archive-date=15 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115093746/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/11/14/betrayed-and-abused-labours-previous-north-shropshire-candidate-not-shortlisted-for-by-election/|url-status=live}}
The Shropshire Star reported on 11 November that the Liberal Democrats had approached Martin Bell to stand as their candidate. Bell reportedly declined citing age and the size of the Conservative majority.{{Cite news|last=Madeley|first=Peter|date=11 November 2021|title=Former anti-sleaze MP Martin Bell rejects offer to stand for Lib Dems in North Shropshire|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/11/11/former-anti-sleaze-mp-martin-bell-rejects-offer-to-stand-for-lib-dems-in-north-shropshire/|url-status=live|access-date=12 December 2021|work=Shropshire Star|archive-date=12 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212104457/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2021/11/11/former-anti-sleaze-mp-martin-bell-rejects-offer-to-stand-for-lib-dems-in-north-shropshire/}} Former Ludlow MP Matthew Green and Shropshire County Councillor Alex Wagner were also reported as potential candidates. On 16 November, the Liberal Democrats announced that Helen Morgan, who contested the seat in the 2019 general election, had been re-selected.{{cite news|date=16 November 2021|title=Lib Dems announce Helen Morgan as candidate for North Shropshire by-election|work=Shropshire Live|url=https://www.shropshirelive.com/news/2021/11/16/lib-dems-announce-helen-morgan-as-candidate-for-north-shropshire-by-election/|url-status=live|access-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116113629/https://www.shropshirelive.com/news/2021/11/16/lib-dems-announce-helen-morgan-as-candidate-for-north-shropshire-by-election/|archive-date=16 November 2021}} Morgan is a chartered accountant who was born and raised in the rural West Midlands and has lived in North Shropshire since 2014.{{Cite web|title=Helen Morgan stands for Lib Dems in North Shropshire|url=https://www.libdemvoice.org/helen-morgan-stands-for-lib-dems-in-north-shropshire-69100.html|url-status=live|website=Lib Dem Voice|access-date=8 December 2021|archive-date=8 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208082632/https://www.libdemvoice.org/helen-morgan-stands-for-lib-dems-in-north-shropshire-69100.html}}
The Green candidate was Duncan Kerr, who stood in the constituency for the party in the 2015 and 2017 general elections, but not in 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-59289032|title=North Shropshire by-election 2021: The candidates standing|work=BBC News|access-date=17 November 2021|archive-date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117122446/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-59289032|url-status=live}}
Yolande Kenward stood on an anti-corruption platform as an independent,{{Cite news|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/11/19/independent-anti-corruption-candidate-to-stand-in-north-shropshire-by-election/|title=Independent 'anti-corruption' candidate to stand in North Shropshire by-election|first=Sue|last=Austin|work=Shropshire Star|date=19 November 2021|access-date=20 November 2021|archive-date=19 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119144659/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/11/19/independent-anti-corruption-candidate-to-stand-in-north-shropshire-by-election/|url-status=live}} although she was shown on the ballot paper with no label. The other independent, Suzie Akers-Smith, is an independent councillor on Cheshire East Council and the local authority's Cycling and Walking Champion.
Drew Galdron, under the name Boris Been-Bunged, a Boris Johnson impersonator, stood for the Rejoin EU Party.{{Cite news|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/11/19/watch-boris-johnson-impersonator-after-all-the-sleaze-at-north-shropshire-by-election/|title=Watch: Boris Johnson impersonator after 'all the sleaze' at North Shropshire by-election|work=Shropshire Star|first=David|last=Stubbings|date=19 November 2021|access-date=20 November 2021|archive-date=19 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119225120/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/11/19/watch-boris-johnson-impersonator-after-all-the-sleaze-at-north-shropshire-by-election/|url-status=live}}
Monaco-based Russell Dean, a consultant for a yacht broker who grew up in Shropshire, stood for The Party Party.{{Cite news|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/11/15/keir-starmer-endorses-labours-by-election-candidate-with-parting-shot-at-owen-paterson/|title=Keir Starmer endorses Labour's by-election candidate with parting shot at Owen Paterson|first=David|last=Stubbings|date=15 November 2021|access-date=20 November 2021|archive-date=20 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120161429/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/11/15/keir-starmer-endorses-labours-by-election-candidate-with-parting-shot-at-owen-paterson/|url-status=live}}
Hard eurosceptic minor party candidates were: UKIP's Andrea Allen, a former modern languages teacher who sits on Whitchurch Parish Council and had previously stood in Eddisbury in 2019;{{Cite web|last=Harry|first=Harry|date=2021-11-25|title=Andrea Allen to stand for UKIP at North Shropshire by-election|url=https://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/19740736.andrea-allen-stand-ukip-north-shropshire-by-election/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-21|website=Border Counties Advertizer|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125175046/https://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/19740736.andrea-allen-stand-ukip-north-shropshire-by-election/ |archive-date=25 November 2021 }} the Reclaim Party's deputy leader, Martin Daubney, a former editor of "lads' mag" Loaded who represented the West Midlands in the European Parliament between 2019 and 2020 while a member of the Brexit Party;{{Cite web|last=Andrews|first=Mark|date=2021-11-27|title=North Shropshire by-election: Ex lads' mag editor's on the offensive against political correctness|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/11/27/north-shropshire-by-election-ex-lads-mag-editors-on-the-offensive-against-political-correctness/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-21|website=Shropshire Star|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127064225/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/11/27/north-shropshire-by-election-ex-lads-mag-editors-on-the-offensive-against-political-correctness/ |archive-date=27 November 2021 }} and Heritage's James Elliot, an electrical contractor.
The Official Monster Raving Loony Party fielded its party leader Alan "Howling Laud" Hope.
The anti-lockdown Freedom Alliance fielded Earl Jesse as its candidate.
= Endorsements =
An editorial in The Guardian newspaper suggested that tactical voting for the Liberal Democrats be employed by the electorate to try to reduce the Conservative majority in the seat, saying "Labour voters ought to set aside their tribal loyalty and back the Lib Dem candidate".{{Cite web|date=6 December 2021|title=The Guardian view on a byelection test: Labour voters should back the Lib Dems {{!}} Editorial|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/06/the-guardian-view-on-a-byelection-test-labour-voters-should-back-the-lib-dems|access-date=6 December 2021|website=The Guardian|archive-date=6 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206192038/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/06/the-guardian-view-on-a-byelection-test-labour-voters-should-back-the-lib-dems|url-status=live}}
Sarah Biffen, the widow of John Biffen, the former Conservative MP for the area, endorsed the Conservative candidate, Shastri-Hurst, comparing his background in the NHS and the Army with that of her late husband, a former cabinet minister who represented the area now covered by the North Shropshire constituency from 1961 until 1997.{{Cite news|last=Andrews|first=Mark|date=8 December 2021|title=North Shropshire by-election: Biffen's widow endorses candidate|work=Shropshire Star|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/north-shropshire/2021/12/08/north-shropshire-by-election-biffens-widow-endorses-candidate/|access-date=8 December 2021|archive-date=8 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208065006/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/north-shropshire/2021/12/08/north-shropshire-by-election-biffens-widow-endorses-candidate/|url-status=live}}
Will Hutton, former editor of The Observer, endorsed the Liberal Democrats and called on Labour and Green Party supporters to "put aside their prime party affiliation and back the Lib Dem candidate".{{Cite web|last=Hutton|first=Will|date=12 December 2021|title=To topple Johnson, now it's time for all good progressives to come to the aid of... the Lib Dems|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/12/to-topple-johnson-now-its-time-for-all-good-progressives-to-come-the-aid-of-lib-dems|url-status=live|access-date=12 December 2021|website=The Guardian|archive-date=12 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212073819/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/12/to-topple-johnson-now-its-time-for-all-good-progressives-to-come-the-aid-of-lib-dems}} Martin Fletcher, former associate editor and foreign editor of The Times, endorsed the Liberal Democrats, specifically calling on Conservative voters to back Morgan with the aim of ending Boris Johnson's leadership of the Conservative Party.{{Cite web|last=Fletcher|first=Martin|date=2021-12-13|title=Decent Tories must back the Lib Dems to end Boris Johnson's rotten premiership|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2021/12/decent-tories-must-back-the-lib-dems-to-end-boris-johnsons-rotten-premiership|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-13|website=New Statesman|language=en-US|archive-date=13 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213234629/https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2021/12/decent-tories-must-back-the-lib-dems-to-end-boris-johnsons-rotten-premiership}}
Campaign
Several{{which|date=December 2021}} candidates were running on an anti-corruption ticket; others using it in their campaign material, including Labour's.{{Cite web|last=Rodgers|first=Sienna|title=Labour selects Ben Wood as candidate for North Shropshire by-election|url=https://labourlist.org/2021/11/labour-selects-ben-wood-as-candidate-for-north-shropshire-by-election/|date=14 November 2021|access-date=2 December 2021|website=LabourList|archive-date=2 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202140154/https://labourlist.org/2021/11/labour-selects-ben-wood-as-candidate-for-north-shropshire-by-election/|url-status=live}} Several local issues also featured in the campaign, including local funding.{{Cite news|last=Andrews|first=Mark|title=Meet the North Shropshire by-election candidates hoping to beat the odds|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/11/29/north-shropshire-by-election-candidates-hoping-to-beat-the-odds/|date=29 November 2021|access-date=1 December 2021|work=Shropshire Star|archive-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201222253/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/11/29/north-shropshire-by-election-candidates-hoping-to-beat-the-odds/|url-status=live}} Katy Balls in The Spectator analysed the effect that the variety of problems currently facing the government, and impacting Boris Johnson's popularity (which include tax rises, English Channel migrant crossings and the controversy surrounding the resignation of Paterson, the former MP of the constituency), might have on the election result. She said that a Lib Dem source commented that "Peppa Pig has come up more than sleaze" and that local issues such as the ambulance services, and questions over the Tory candidate being based in Birmingham were being raised by electors.{{Cite web|last=Balls|first=Katy|title=Could there be a Tory upset in North Shropshire?|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/could-there-be-a-tory-upset-in-north-shropshire-|date=30 November 2021|access-date=2 December 2021|website=The Spectator|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130192716/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/could-there-be-a-tory-upset-in-north-shropshire-|url-status=live}}
The Financial Times reported that Labour strategists regarded North Shropshire as inhospitable for their party and not worth spending resources on. One Labour strategist suggested the Liberal Democrats stood a better chance in the seat, saying: "the Lib Dems have focused on Shropshire North and they'll probably end up a good second there. They came second in the recent local elections — from their perspective it makes sense for them to concentrate their resources there."{{Cite news|last1=Parker|first1=George|last2=Cameron-Chileshe|first2=Jasmine|last3=Payne|first3=Sebastian|date=2 December 2021|title=Labour and Lib Dems forge informal by-election pact to exploit sleaze scandal|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/3829c28d-997c-4b8b-a2ca-fd3fb8977f81|access-date=8 December 2021|archive-date=8 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208084119/https://www.ft.com/content/3829c28d-997c-4b8b-a2ca-fd3fb8977f81|url-status=live}} Labour finished second in the constituency at the 2019 general election. Ian Dunt, writing in the i, suggested that despite standing a candidate "[Labour] seems to be standing aside for Davey so the Lib Dems can monopolise the anti-government vote" as part of an informal Labour-Lib Dem pact, where one party stands aside to give the other a higher chance of beating the Conservative candidate.{{Cite news|first=Ian|last=Dunt|date=3 December 2021|title=Labour and Lib Dems' new strategic relationship will strike fear in Tory hearts|url=https://inews.co.uk/opinion/old-bexley-and-sidcup-by-election-labour-and-lib-dems-relationship-strike-fear-in-tory-hearts-1333390|access-date=3 December 2021|work=i|archive-date=3 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203105714/https://inews.co.uk/opinion/old-bexley-and-sidcup-by-election-labour-and-lib-dems-relationship-strike-fear-in-tory-hearts-1333390|url-status=live}} The Guardian reported that Labour's Shadow Minister for International Development Yasmin Qureshi "effectively acknowledged the party had deliberately left the field clear for the Lib Dems", after she said that "Labour are never going to win North Shropshire. The Lib Dems do have an opportunity to do so."{{Cite web|last=Walker|first=Peter|date=2021-12-13|title=Bookies made Lib Dems favourite in North Shropshire poll|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/13/bookies-make-lib-dems-favourite-in-north-shropshire-poll-owen-paterson-byelection|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-15|work=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215124504/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/13/bookies-make-lib-dems-favourite-in-north-shropshire-poll-owen-paterson-byelection}}
A poll of postal voters by the Liberal Democrats, reported on 2 December, put them in second place, with both the Conservative and Labour vote shares falling relative to the 2019 general election. A polling analyst said that these results should be treated "with a pinch of salt" because the polling methodology was not published.{{Cite web|last=Andrews|first=Mark|title=Lib-Dem poll suggests North Shropshire vote could be tighter than first thought|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/12/02/north-shropshire-by-election-lib-dem-poll-suggests-vote-could-be-tighter-than-first-thought/|date=2 December 2021|access-date=3 December 2021|work=Shropshire Star|archive-date=3 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203091945/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/12/02/north-shropshire-by-election-lib-dem-poll-suggests-vote-could-be-tighter-than-first-thought/|url-status=live}} On 11 December The Observer reported that an internal memo to Liberal Democrat staff stated that the Conservatives were only one percentage point ahead of the Liberal Democrats.{{cite news|last=Helm|first=Toby|date=11 December 2021|title=Labour races to nine-point lead in polls in wake of sleaze controversies at No 10|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/11/labour-races-to-nine-point-lead-in-polls-in-wake-of-sleaze-controversies-at-no-10|url-status=live|access-date=12 December 2021|work=The Observer|archive-date=11 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211224117/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/11/labour-races-to-nine-point-lead-in-polls-in-wake-of-sleaze-controversies-at-no-10}}
In response to comments by the Conservative Home Secretary, Priti Patel, about the expulsion of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats, the Liberal Democrat candidate, Helen Morgan, compared Patel with Hitler's propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels. Morgan later apologised for the "insensitive tweet which I have taken down".{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/lib-dem-priti-patel-goebbels-b1971223.html|title=Lib dem by-election candidate apologises after 'comparing Priti Patel to Goebbels'|work=The Independent|date=7 December 2021|access-date=8 December 2021|archive-date=8 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208105808/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/lib-dem-priti-patel-goebbels-b1971223.html|url-status=live}} According to local newspaper the Shropshire Star, Morgan had already apologised a few days earlier for comments from 2020 in which she "appeared to liken Channel migrants to Jews held at Auschwitz".{{Cite news|last=Andrews|first=Mark|date=7 December 2021|title=North Shropshire by-election candidate apologises over 'Goebbels' jibe|work=Shropshire Star|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/12/07/north-shropshire-by-election-candidate-apologises-over-goebbels-jibe/|access-date=8 December 2021|archive-date=8 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208074040/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/12/07/north-shropshire-by-election-candidate-apologises-over-goebbels-jibe/|url-status=live}}
During the campaign, a sitting Conservative councillor in the constituency, Anthony Allen, announced that he was defecting from the Conservative Party, saying they "were not Conservative enough", and joined the Reclaim Party.{{Cite news|last=Forrest|first=Adam|date=6 December 2021|title=Tory defects to Laurence Fox's party because Conservatives 'too soft'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-defects-laurence-fox-reclaim-b1970502.html|access-date=6 December 2021|work=The Independent|archive-date=6 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206114014/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-defects-laurence-fox-reclaim-b1970502.html|url-status=live}} A second sitting Conservative councillor defected to Reform UK.{{Cite news|date=6 December 2021|title=Two Tory councillors defect amid North Shropshire by-election campaign|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-59547081|work=BBC News|access-date=7 December 2021|archive-date=7 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207094410/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-59547081|url-status=live}}
In the wake of partygate (a controversy over a reported Christmas party at 10 Downing Street that may have broken the COVID-19 lockdown rules in place at the time) which broke on 7 December, The Guardian reported that opinion in the constituency was divided, and voter apathy had risen.{{Cite news|date=9 December 2021|title='I'm considering switching': Voters in Shropshire weigh up No 10 scandal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/09/voters-north-shropshire-no-10-christmas-party-byelection|access-date=9 December 2021|work=The Guardian|archive-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209150145/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/09/voters-north-shropshire-no-10-christmas-party-byelection|url-status=live|last=Murray|first=Jessica}} The Shropshire Star reported on 8 December that bookmakers were divided over whether the Conservative or the Liberal Democrat candidate were the favourite to win the by-election, following partygate. The newspaper stated that, other than the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives, "No other party has been seen as a likely challenger to the seat".{{Cite news|last=Stubbings|first=David|title=Bookies install Lib Dems as favourites for North Shropshire by-election|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/12/08/north-shropshire-by-election-odds-bookies-install-lib-dems-as-favourites/|access-date=9 December 2021|work=Shropshire Star|archive-date=8 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208164949/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/12/08/north-shropshire-by-election-odds-bookies-install-lib-dems-as-favourites/|url-status=live}} By 11 December The Independent reported that the Liberal Democrats were favourites with every major bookmaker.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/north-shropshire-by-election-polls-b1973823.html|title=North Shropshire by-election: Lib Dems now favourites with every major bookie to win Tory stronghold|work=The Independent|first=Colin|last=Drury|date=11 December 2021|access-date=12 December 2021|archive-date=12 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212011524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/north-shropshire-by-election-polls-b1973823.html|url-status=live}} They also reported that the Omicron variant, and poor weather conditions might affect the turnout.{{Cite web|date=2021-12-14|title=Fears Omicron could skew key by-election result by causing low turnout|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/north-shropshire-by-election-turnout-omicron-b1975807.html|access-date=2021-12-15|website=The Independent|language=en|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215082628/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/north-shropshire-by-election-turnout-omicron-b1975807.html|url-status=live}}
On 13 December it was reported that Reform UK candidate Kirsty Walmsley had tested positive for COVID-19, and would therefore miss out on the last few days of the campaign as well as the vote count.{{cite news|last=Leather|first=Harry|date=13 December 2021|title=Reform UK candidate for Shropshire by-election tests positive for coronavirus|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/12/13/north-shropshire-by-election-reform-candidate-kirsty-walmsley-tests-positive-for-covid/|access-date=13 December 2021|website=Shropshire Star|language=en|archive-date=13 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213205257/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/north-shropshire-by-election/2021/12/13/north-shropshire-by-election-reform-candidate-kirsty-walmsley-tests-positive-for-covid/|url-status=live}}
Results
The Liberal Democrats candidate Helen Morgan won the election with a majority of 5,925, indicating a swing of 34.2 percentage points. The swing was the seventh largest in United Kingdom by-election history, and the second largest swing from the Conservative Party to the Liberal Democrats or its predecessors (the Liberal Party and SDP–Liberal Alliance) at a by-election since 1945,{{Cite web |url=https://news.sky.com/story/north-shropshire-lib-dems-shock-win-as-tory-by-election-defeat-piles-pressure-on-johnson-12497814 |title=North Shropshire: Liberal Democrats pull off shock win as Tory by-election defeat piles further pressure on Boris Johnson |date=17 December 2021 |first=Alan |last=McGuinness |work=Sky News |access-date=17 December 2021 |archive-date=17 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217051250/https://news.sky.com/story/north-shropshire-lib-dems-shock-win-as-tory-by-election-defeat-piles-pressure-on-johnson-12497814 |url-status=live }} behind only the 1993 Christchurch by-election.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/12/17/echo-john-majors-christchurch-by-election-defeat-carries-history/ |first=Tony |last=Diver |title=Echo of John Major's Christchurch by-election defeat carries history lesson for embattled Boris Johnson |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |place=London |date=17 December 2021 |access-date=18 December 2021 |archive-date=19 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219141335/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/12/17/echo-john-majors-christchurch-by-election-defeat-carries-history/ |url-status=live }} It was also the first time a non-Conservative won the seat since Liberal candidate Allan Heywood Bright in 1904, when the constituency was named Oswestry.
{{Election box begin|
|title=2021 North Shropshire by-election{{cite web |title=North Shropshire 16 December 2021 |url=https://members.parliament.uk/constituency/3648/election/403 |website=Parliament.uk |access-date=9 October 2024}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Helen Morgan
|votes=17,957
|percentage=47.2
|change=+37.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Conservative Party (UK)|candidate=Neil Shastri-Hurst|votes=12,032|percentage=31.6|change=–31.1}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Labour Party (UK)|candidate=Ben Wood|votes=3,686|percentage=9.7|change=–12.4}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Green Party of England and Wales|candidate=Duncan Kerr|votes=1,738|percentage=4.6|change=+1.4}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Reform UK|candidate=Kirsty Walmsley|votes=1,427|percentage=3.8|change=New}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=UK Independence Party|candidate=Andrea Allen|votes=378|percentage=1.0|change=New}}
{{Election box candidate
|party = Reclaim Party
|colour = #C03F31
|candidate = Martin Daubney
|votes =375
|percentage =1.0
|change = New
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Official Monster Raving Loony Party|candidate=Alan "Howling Laud" Hope|votes=118|percentage=0.3|change=New}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent politician|candidate=Suzie Akers-Smith|votes=95|percentage=0.2|change=New}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Heritage Party (UK)|candidate=James Elliot|votes=79|percentage=0.2|change=New}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Rejoin EU|candidate=Boris Been Bunged|votes=58|percentage=0.2|change=New}}
{{Election box candidate
|party = Freedom Alliance
|color={{party color|Freedom Alliance (UK)}}
|candidate = Earl Jesse
|votes = 57
|percentage =0.1
|change = New
}}
{{Election box candidate|
|party = Party Party
|candidate = Russell Dean
|votes =19
|percentage =0.1
|change = New
}}
{{Election box candidate
|party = No description
|candidate = Yolande Kenward
|votes =3
|percentage =0.0
|change = New
}}
{{Election box majority|votes=5,925|percentage=15.6|change=N/A}}
{{Election box turnout|votes=38,022|percentage=46.3|change=–21.6}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 74
|percentage = 0.2
|change =
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 82,314
}}
{{Election box total ballots
|votes = 38,110
|percentage = 46.3
|change =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
| winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)
| loser = Conservative Party (UK)
| swing = +34.2
}}
{{Election box end}}
Previous election
{{Election box begin|title = General election 2019: North Shropshire{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/E14000849|title=Shropshire North parliamentary constituency - Election 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=15 December 2019|archive-date=9 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709091122/https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/E14000849|url-status=live}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Owen Paterson
|votes=35,444
|percentage=62.7
|change=+2.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party=Labour Party (UK)
|candidate=Graeme Currie
|votes=12,495
|percentage=22.1
|change=–9.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Helen Morgan
|votes=5,643
|percentage=10.0
|change=+4.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=John Adams
|votes=1,790
|percentage=3.2
|change=+0.1
}}
{{Election box candidate
|party=Shropshire Party
|candidate=Robert Jones
|votes=1,141
|percentage=2.0
|change=New
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes=22,949
|percentage=40.6
|change=+11.2
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes=56,513
|percentage=67.9
|change=–1.1
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
See also
Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{By-elections to the 58th UK Parliament|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:North Shropshire by-election}}
Category:By-elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in Shropshire constituencies