2024 Blackpool South by-election
{{Short description|UK parliamentary by-election}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2024 Blackpool South by-election
| type = parliamentary
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2019 United Kingdom general election
| previous_year = 2019
| election_date = 2 May 2024
| next_election = 2024 United Kingdom general election
| next_year = July 2024
| seats_for_election = Blackpool South constituency
| turnout = 32.5% ({{decrease}}24.3 pp)
| image1 = Official Portrait of Chris Webb MP 2024 (cropped).jpg
| candidate1 = Chris Webb
| party1 = Labour Party (UK)
| popular_vote1 = 10,825
| percentage1 = 58.9%
| swing1 = {{increase}} 26.0 pp
| image2 = {{eppt|Conservative Party (UK)}}
| candidate2 = David Jones
| party2 = Conservative Party (UK)
| popular_vote2 = 3,218
| percentage2 = 17.5%
| swing2 = {{decrease}} 32.1 pp
| image3 = {{eppt|Reform UK}}
| candidate3 = Mark Butcher
| party3 = Reform UK
| popular_vote3 = 3,101
| percentage3 = 16.9%
| swing3 = {{increase}} 10.8 pp
| map_image = BlackpoolSouth2007Constituency.svg
| map_size = 225px
| map_caption = Boundary of Blackpool South in Lancashire
| title = MP
| before_election = Scott Benton
| before_party = Independent{{efn|Although elected as a Conservative in 2019, Benton was sitting as an Independent MP at the time of his resignation.}}
| after_election = Chris Webb
| after_party = Labour
| country = United Kingdom
}}
A by-election took place on 2 May 2024 in the UK Parliament constituency of Blackpool South, the same day as local elections in England and Wales.
The by-election followed the resignation of incumbent MP Scott Benton.{{cite news |title=Former Tory MP resigns leaving PM to face new by-election |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68658896 |access-date=25 March 2024 |agency=BBC News}}{{cite web |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/Voting-and-elections/Elections/By-election-Blackpool-South/Notice-of-Election.aspx |title=Parliamentary by-election Blackpool South |website=Blackpool Council |access-date=27 March 2024}} Benton had been suspended for 35 days from the House of Commons after being caught in a newspaper sting operation offering lobbying services for payment. This triggered a recall petition, which had started, but was then terminated by Benton's resignation.
The by-election was won by Chris Webb of the Labour Party with a 26% swing, on a turnout of 32.5%.{{cite news |last1= Mathers |first1= Matt |last2= Zakir-Hussain |first2= Maryam |date= 3 May 2024 |title= Local elections results 2024 – live: Labour take Blackpool South with huge swing as Tories edge Reform UK |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/local-election-results-2024-london-mayor-council-labour-b2538971.html?page=2 |work= The Independent |access-date= 3 May 2024}} It was the last by-election of the 2019–2024 Parliament, with the general election held on 4 July.
Background
File:Official portrait of Scott Benton MP.jpg, the previous MP.]]
=Constituency=
Blackpool South had been a Labour-held seat since 1997. Before that election, Conservative Party MPs had won in and represented the constituency since it was first contested in 1945. In the 2019 general election it was won by Conservative candidate Scott Benton, who defeated the incumbent Labour MP Gordon Marsden. Some reporters and pollsters describe the constituency as one of the seats that make up the "red wall" and "sea wall".{{Cite news |last=Gutteridge |first=Nick |date=2024-03-25 |title=Sunak faces another critical Red Wall by-election as Scott Benton resigns |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/03/25/scott-benton-mp-conservative-party-resignation/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite web |title=New YouGov MRP model shows Conservatives losing up to 32 seats in the Red Wall |url=https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/38484-new-yougov-mrp-model-shows-conservatives-losing-32 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=YouGov |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |title=Red wall wave 6 |url=https://jlpartners.com/red-wall-wave-6 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=JL Partners |language=en-US}} It is one of the most deprived constituencies in England, with high levels of unemployment and crime.{{Cite web |last=Clarke-Ezzidio |first=Harry |date=2024-02-20 |title=Did Blackpool South's gamble on the Tories' Scott Benton pay off? |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/economic-growth/regional-development/2024/02/blackpool-south-scott-benton-by-election |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=New Statesman |language=en-US}} All 14 of Lancashire's districts voted for Brexit in the 2016 European Union membership referendum, with the borough of Blackpool registering a particularly strong leave vote of 67.5%.{{Cite news |date=2016-06-24 |title=EU referendum: All 14 Lancashire districts back Brexit |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36614758 |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
=Corruption allegations=
In April 2023 The Times published an article resulting from a sting operation alleging that Benton was willing to table parliamentary questions, leak documents and lobby ministers on behalf of gambling companies in return for "thousands of pounds per month".{{Cite news |last1=Kenber |first1=Billy |last2=Nachiappan |first2=Arthi |date=6 April 2023 |title=Exposed: How Tory MP offered to lobby for gambling investors |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/tory-mp-scott-benton-lobbying-investigation-ckhzrfqg0 |access-date=27 February 2024 |work=The Times}} He also told the reporters that other MPs would be similarly willing to accept such payments. Benton was subsequently suspended from the Conservative Party,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65193097|title=Scott Benton suspended as Tory MP after lobbying sting|date=5 April 2023|access-date=27 February 2024}} sitting thereafter as an independent MP.{{Cite news |date=2024-02-27 |title=Scott Benton: Lobbying scandal MP recall petition triggered |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-68419849 |access-date=2024-02-27 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
In December 2023 the House of Commons' Standards Committee found that he had breached the House's rules and recommended a 35-day suspension from the House.{{cite web |date=14 December 2023 |title=Scott Benton – Second Report of Session 2023–24 |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/42581/documents/211708/default/ |access-date=27 February 2024}} This finding was appealed to the Independent Expert Panel, but the panel "found no substance" in Benton's arguments and dismissed the appeal.{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Alexandra |last2=Scott |first2=Jennifer |date=27 February 2024 |title=Rishi Sunak braced for another by-election after ex-Tory MP Scott Benton suspended from Commons |url=https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-sunak-braced-for-another-by-election-after-ex-tory-mp-scott-benton-suspended-from-commons-13082132 |access-date=27 February 2024 |work=Sky News}} On 27 February 2024 the Commons approved a motion suspending Benton from the House for 35 days.
=Recall petition and resignation=
{{Seealso|Recall of MPs Act 2015#Recall procedure}}
As the length of Benton's suspension exceeded the ten-day threshold designated in the Recall of MPs Act 2015, a recall procedure was triggered.
The signing period began on Tuesday 12 March and was set to run until Monday 22 April 2024.{{cite news |date=12 March 2024 |title=Recall petition – Blackpool South |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/Voting-and-elections/Recall-petition/Recall-petition-Blackpool-South.aspx |website=Blackpool Council |access-date=13 March 2024}} The number of signatures required for the petition to be successful, 10% of the constituency's electorate, was 5,634. The Labour party officially registered as campaigning for the petition's success.{{Cite web |date=15 March 2024 |title=Petition campaigners |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/Voting-and-elections/Recall-petition/Petition-campaigners.aspx |access-date=26 March 2024 |website=Blackpool Council}}
Benton resigned as an MP on 25 March 2024, terminating the recall petition thirteen days into the signing period.{{Cite news |date=2024-03-25 |title=Former Tory MP resigns leaving PM to face new by-election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68658896 |access-date=2024-03-25 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
Campaign
The writ of election was moved on 26 March 2024.{{Cite news |date=2024-03-26 |title=Blackpool South by-election to take place in May |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-68656477 |access-date=2024-03-26 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} The by-election was held on 2 May 2024, concurrently with local elections and police and crime commissioner elections.
Issues in the by-election included "levelling-up",{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=James |date=2024-04-01 |title=James Ford: Blackpool South should be the poster child for levelling up. But will the forthcoming by-election reflect that? |url=https://conservativehome.com/2024/04/01/james-ford-blackpool-south-should-be-the-poster-child-for-levelling-up-but-will-the-forthcoming-by-election-reflect-that/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Conservative Home |language=en-GB}} social deprivation,{{Cite news |last=Ofori |first=Morgan |date=2024-03-26 |title='Dirty rotten scoundrel': Blackpool voters dismayed by Tory MP Scott Benton |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/mar/26/dirty-rotten-scoundrel-blackpool-voters-dismayed-by-tory-mp-scott-benton |access-date=2024-04-02 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} overstretched NHS,{{Cite web |date=2024-04-20 |title=Blackpool South voters turn on 'Richy' Rishi Sunak ahead of crunch by-election |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/blackpool-byelection-sunak-benton-election-b2530930.html |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=The Independent |language=en}} homelessness,{{Cite web |date=2024-03-28 |title=Reform UK launches Blackpool by-election campaign |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2024/03/28/reform-uk-launches-blackpool-by-election-campaign/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Express & Star |language=en}} low investment,{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Ben |date=2024-04-05 |title=Can the Conservatives cling on in Blackpool South? |url=https://sotn.newstatesman.com/2024/04/blackpool-south-by-election-can-conservatives-cling-on |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=The New Statesman |language=en-US}} crime, anti-social behaviour,{{Cite web |title=Local issues the focus at packed-out Blackpool South by-election hustings |url=https://thelead.uk/local-issues-focus-packed-out-blackpool-south-election-hustings |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=thelead.uk |language=en}} and child poverty.{{Cite web |last=Belger |first=Tom |date=2024-03-26 |title=Blackpool South by-election confirmed: Meet Labour candidate Chris Webb |url=https://labourlist.org/2024/03/when-blackpool-south-by-election-labour-candidate-mp-chris-webb-scott-benton/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=LabourList |language=en-GB}}
On 19 April 2024, a hustings was held between the candidates at Blackpool Cricket Club.{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Jamie |date=2024-04-19 |title=Chaos at Blackpool South's by-election hustings as police called |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/chaos-blackpool-souths-election-hustings-29028930 |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=Lancs Live |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Durkin |first=Tony |date=19 April 2024 |title=52 pictures of candidates facing voters at Blackpool South by-election hustings at Blackpool Cricket Club |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/52-pictures-from-blackpool-south-by-election-hustings-4597589?page=2 |website=Blackpool Gazette}}
=Candidates=
Labour selected Chris Webb to stand for the constituency in August 2023. Webb is a former assistant to Gordon Marsden, who represented Blackpool South as MP from 1997 until 2019.{{cite news |last1=Belger |first1=Tom |title=Blackpool South by-election confirmed: Meet Labour candidate Chris Webb |url=https://labourlist.org/2024/03/when-blackpool-south-by-election-labour-candidate-mp-chris-webb-scott-benton/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=LabourList |date=25 March 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Parkinson |first1=Shelagh |title=Local candidate Chris is bidding to seize Blackpool South from Tories at next election |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/politics/local-candidate-chris-is-bidding-to-seize-blackpool-south-from-tories-at-next-election-4258105 |access-date=25 March 2024 |date=16 August 2023}}
The Conservative candidate was David Jones.{{cite web |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/candidates/blackpool-south-by-election-full-candidate-list-revealed/ |title=Blackpool South by-election {{!}} Full list of candidates|website=LBC|date=28 March 2024|access-date=28 March 2024}} His background is in the construction industry and charitable fundraising.{{Cite web |title=Blackpool South by-election dates and candidates set |url=https://thelead.uk/blackpool-south-election-dates-and-candidates-set |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=thelead.uk |language=en}}
Ben Thomas stood for the Green Party. He is secretary of the Blackpool and Fylde Green Party. The Greens have called for the new football regulator to be based in Blackpool.{{Cite web |last=Gleaves |first=Sean |date=25 April 2024 |title=Green Party calls for football regulator to set up in Blackpool to bring '£130m boost to town' |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/politics/green-party-calls-for-football-regulator-to-set-up-in-blackpool-to-bring-ps130m-boost-to-town-4605742 |website=Blackpool Gazette}}
The Liberal Democrats selected Andrew Cregan as their candidate.{{Cite web |last=Pack |first=Mark |date=2024-02-28 |title=Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidates |url=https://www.markpack.org.uk/167842/liberal-democrat-prospective-parliamentary-candidates/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Mark Pack |language=en-GB}} Cregan was previously a Labour councillor in Tower Hamlets, but defected to the Liberal Democrats in 2017 over Brexit.{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Joe |date=2017-02-02 |title=Tower Hamlets Labour councillor defects to Lib Dems over Brexit |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/tower-hamlets-labour-councillor-defects-to-lib-dems-over-brexit-a3456276.html |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}
Reform UK selected Mark Butcher to stand as their candidate.{{Cite news |last=Parkinson |first=Shelagh |date=28 March 2024 |title=Here are the names already in the hat to fight the Blackpool South by-election |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/politics/here-are-the-names-already-in-the-hat-to-fight-the-blackpool-south-by-election-4573230 |access-date=29 March 2024 |work=The Blackpool Gazette}} He is a former street preacher and local charity worker.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-28 |title=Reform UK launches Blackpool by-election campaign |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/national/24218705.reform-uk-launches-blackpool-by-election-campaign/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=South Wales Argus |language=en}} During the campaign the Charity Commission confirmed it had not opened a "statutory case" into his soup kitchen amid allegations of misuse of funds but has raised a "compliance case" into issues regarding political bias with the Trustees of the charity.{{Cite news |last=Quinn |first=Ben |date=2024-04-25 |title=Reform UK's Blackpool byelection candidate denies wrongdoing amid charity probe |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/25/reform-uks-blackpool-byelection-candidate-denies-wrongdoing-amid-charity-probe |access-date=2024-04-25 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
The Alliance for Democracy and Freedom selected Kim Knight.{{Cite web |title=Kim Knight unveiled as ADF candidate |url=https://www.coastalradiodab.co.uk/news/news/local-news/kim-knight-unveiled-as-adf-candidate/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=Coastal Radio DAB |language=en}} Damon Sharp stood for the label New Open Non-Political Organised Leadership.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-10 |title=Damon Sharp – |url=https://nonpol.com/damon-sharp/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=nonpol.com |language=en-US}} Stephen Black was an Independent candidate.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-09 |title=Nine Candidates Standing In The Blackpool South Byelection To Replace Scott Benton |url=https://www.lythamstannes.news/news/nine-candidates-standing-in-the-blackpool-south-byelection-to-replace-scott-benton/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=Lytham St Annes News |language=en-GB}} Perennial candidate Howling Laud Hope stood for the Official Monster Raving Loony Party.{{Cite web |last=Sims |first=Vanessa |date=17 April 2024 |title=I'm standing for the Monster Raving Loony Party in Blackpool South By-election and I'm confident I'll win |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/politics/im-standing-for-the-monster-raving-loony-party-in-blackpool-im-confident-ill-win-4594665 |website=Blackpool Gazette}}
Result
{{Election box begin|title=2024 Blackpool South by-election {{cite web |title=STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED AND NOTICE OF POLL |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/Voting-and-elections/Elections/By-election-Blackpool-South/Parliamentary-SOPN-and-NOP-FINAL.pdf |publisher=(Acting) Returning Officer |date=9 April 2024 |quote=Election of a Member of Parliament ... Blackpool South Constituency}} {{cite web |title=Parliamentary by-election Blackpool South |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/Voting-and-elections/Elections/By-election-Blackpool-South/Parliamentary-by-election-Blackpool-South.aspx |website=Blackpool Council |access-date=3 May 2024}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party=Labour Party (UK)
|candidate= Chris Webb
|votes=10,825
|percentage=58.9
|change=+20.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Conservative Party (UK)|candidate=David Jones|votes=3,218|percentage=17.5|change=–32.1}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party=Reform UK|
candidate=Mark Butcher
|votes=3,101
|percentage=16.9
|change=+10.8}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Andrew Cregan
|votes= 387
|percentage=2.1
|change=–1.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Ben Thomas
|votes=368
|percentage=2.0
|change=+0.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party=Independent
|candidate=Stephen Black
|votes= 163
|percentage=0.9
|change=N/A}}
{{Election box candidate|party=Alliance for Democracy and Freedom|candidate= Kim Knight|votes=147
|percentage=0.8
|change=N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party=Official Monster Raving Loony Party
|candidate=Howling Laud Hope
|votes=121
|percentage=0.7
|change=N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate|party=New Open Non-Political Organised Leadership|candidate= Damon Sharp|votes=45|percentage=0.2|change=N/A|colour=Black|color=Black}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes=7,607
|percentage=41.4
|change=N/A
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 73
|percentage = 0.4
|change =
}}
{{Election box registered electors|
|reg. electors = 56,696
}}
{{Election box turnout||votes= 18,375|percentage= 32.5
|change = -24.3 }}
{{Election box gain with party link|
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|loser = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = +26.3
}}
{{Election box end}}
The result was considered a strong performance by Labour and a weak one for the Conservatives, with the swing being the third-largest Conservative-to-Labour swing since 1945.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-03 |title=Blackpool South sees third biggest Tory to Labour by-election swing since war |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/labour-conservatives-tony-blair-wellingborough-liberal-democrats-b2538979.html |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=The Independent |language=en}} Psephologist John Curtice likened this and other recent results to elections in the years before Labour's landslide win in 1997.{{Cite news |last1=Stacey |first1=Kiran |last2=Vinter |first2=Robyn |date=2024-05-03 |title=Starmer hails Blackpool South win as result points to big Labour victory at general election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/03/labour-wins-back-red-wall-seat-blackpool-south-after-byelection-chris-webb |access-date=2024-05-03 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
Reform UK came a close third behind the Conservative Party, giving it the largest share of the vote in a by-election since its change of name from the Brexit Party.{{cite news |last1=Sigsworth |first1=Tim |date=3 May 2024 |title=Tories lose Blackpool South by-election with just 100 votes more than Reform |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/05/03/local-elections-labour-crush-tories-blackpool-south/ |access-date=3 May 2024 |publisher=The Daily Telegraph}}
Previous result
{{Election box begin
|title=General election 2019: Blackpool South{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/E14000573|title=Blackpool South parliamentary constituency – Election 2019|work=BBC News}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Scott Benton
|votes=16,247
|percentage=49.6
|change=+6.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Labour Party (UK)
|candidate=Gordon Marsden
|votes=12,557
|percentage=38.3
|change= –12.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Brexit Party
|candidate=David Brown
|votes=2,009
|percentage=6.1
|change=N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Bill Greene
|votes=1,008
|percentage=3.1
|change= +1.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Becky Daniels
|votes=563
|percentage=1.7
|change= +0.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party=Independent (politician)
|candidate=Gary Coleman
|votes=368
|percentage=1.1
|change=N/A
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes=3,690
|percentage=11.3
|change=N/A
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 32,752
|percentage = 56.8
|change = –3.0
}}
{{Election box gain with party link|
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|loser = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = +9.3
}}
{{Election box end}}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{By-elections to the 58th UK Parliament}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blackpool South by-election, 2024}}
Category:2024 elections in the United Kingdom
Category:May 2024 in the United Kingdom
Category:By-elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in Lancashire constituencies