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2019 Newport West by-election
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Newport West constituency |
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Location of Newport West within Wales
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A by-election will be held in the UK Parliament constituency of Newport West on 4 April 2019, following the death of Labour MP Paul Flynn. This will be the third by-election held during the 57th UK Parliament, which was elected at the 2017 general election.
Background[edit]
In October 2018 the sitting MP Paul Flynn indicated his intention to resign his seat in the imminent future, following a worsening of his rheumatoid arthritis.[1] At the time, Flynn indicated that he would wait for a snap general election, in case that allowed him to stand down without triggering a by-election, citing the expense involved in organising and holding one.[1] He died on 17 February 2019, following a “long illness”.[2]
Newport West has been held by Labour since 1987, when Paul Flynn won the seat from the Conservatives. The constituency is semi-marginal, with Labour majorities not exceeding 10,000 votes except during the electoral landslide of 1997.[3]
The writ of election was moved in Parliament on 28 February, scheduling the by-election for 4 April 2019.[4][5]
Candidates and timetable[edit]
Flynn had indicated his intention to stand down at (or before) the next general election and political parties had begun to select candidates ahead of the next general election in Newport West.[6]
Several candidates were pre-selected by parties before the by-election was formally called, including Jonathan Clark (Plaid Cymru),[7] Matthew Evans (Welsh Conservatives), Ruth Jones (Welsh Labour)[5] and Amelia Womack (Green Party).[5] UKIPselected their Welsh leader Neil Hamilton.[8] The Liberal Democrats selected Ryan Jones.[9] Also standing are Richard Suchorzewski for the Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party;[10] June Davies for the Renew Party;[11] Ian McLean for the continuing SDP;[12] and candidates for For Britain and the Democrats and Veterans.[13]
The new Brexit Party said it would not be standing.[5] The recently formed Independent Group also declined to field their own candidate.[5]
The election is administered by Newport City Council, with the statement of persons nominated published on 8 March 2019.[14]
| Party | Candidate | |
|---|---|---|
| Plaid Cymru | Jonathan Clark | |
| Renew | June Davies | |
| Conservative | Matthew Evans | |
| UKIP | Neil Hamilton | |
| Labour | Ruth Jones | |
| Liberal Democrat | Ryan Jones | |
| SDP | Ian McLean | |
| For Britain | Hugh Nicklin | |
| Abolish the Welsh Assembly | Richard Suchorzewski | |
| Democrats and Veterans | Philip Taylor | |
| Green | Amelia Womack | |
Campaign[edit]
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford announced on 12 March that the expected decision on the construction of an M4 relief road around Newport would be delayed due to the purdah rules that had taken effect during the by-election. Such rules prevented the government from making major policy announcements to avoid unduly influencing an election campaign. The news was strongly criticised by the Conservative candidate.[15]
Previous result[edit]
Paul Flynn was re-elected to an eighth term of office in 2017, with an increased majority of 5,658 (13.0%) over the Conservative candidate.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | Paul Flynn | 22,723 | 52.3 | +11.1 | |
| Conservative | Angela Jones-Evans | 17,065 | 39.3 | +6.8 | |
| UKIP | Stan Edwards | 1,100 | 2.5 | -12.7 | |
| Plaid Cymru | Morgan Bowler-Brown | 1,077 | 2.5 | -1.5 | |
| Liberal Democrat | Sarah Lockyer | 976 | 2.2 | -1.7 | |
| Green | Pippa Bartolotti | 497 | 1.1 | -2.0 | |
| Majority | 5,658 | 13.0 | +4.3 | ||
| Turnout | 43,438 | 67.5 | +2.6 | ||
| Registered electors | 64,399 | ||||
| Labour hold | Swing | +2.2 | |||
References[edit]
- ^ Jump up to:a b Craig, Ian (26 October 2018). “Tributes paid to Paul Flynn following news he is to quit”. South Wales Argus. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ “Tributes to veteran Labour MP Flynn”. BBC News. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ “Newport West: 2015 Result”. ukpollingreport.co.uk. UK Polling Report. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ “Newport West by-election date announced”. BBC News. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d e Craig, Ian (28 February 2019). “Newport West by-election to be held on April 4 following death of Paul Flynn”. South Wales Argus. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ “Green deputy leader selected as Newport West candidate”. greenparty.org.uk. Green Party. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ Craig, Ian (10 February 2019). “Plaid select their Newport West Parliamentary candidate”. South Wales Argus. Retrieved 18 February2019.
- ^ “Neil Hamilton is Ukip’s candidate for the Newport West by-election”. South Wales Argus. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- ^ “Liberal Democrats announce Newport West by-election candidate”. South Wales Argus. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
- ^ Craig, Ian (22 February 2019). “Party dedicated to abolishing the Welsh Assembly will run in Newport West by-election”. South Wales Argus. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
- ^ Staff writer (28 February 2019). “Renew Party announces candidate for Newport West by-election”. South Wales Argus. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ “Social Democratic Party announces by-election candidate”. South Wales Argus. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
- ^ http://www.newport.gov.uk/documents/Council-and-Democracy/Elections-and-voting/Newport-West-By-election-April-2019/Notice-of-poll.pdf
- ^ Newport West Parliamentary By-election Newport City Council
- ^ “No M4 relief road decision until after by-election, confirms First Minister”. South Wales Argus. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
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