Explainer

Tamworth by-election: Who is standing to replace Chris Pincher as MP?

The by-election follows the resignation of Conservative MP Chris Pincher.

Polls have opened in Tamworth as people vote for their new MP in a by-election.

It follows the resignation of Conservative MP Chris Pincher.

Polls are open until 10 o'clock this evening, October 19, to decide who will represent them in parliament.

Who are the candidates?

(Top left) Andrew Cooper,(top right) Dr Sue Howarth, (bottom left),Sarah Edwards (bottom right) Sunny Virk

Andrew Cooper, a member to Tamworth Borough Council, will run as the Conservative Party candidate. The MP hopeful is an ex-serviceman having served in the British Army and now has a senior role at Network Rail. His political career has seen him become a member of the Cabinet.

Sarah Edwards has been announced as the Labour Party candidate. She's currently a union organiser, and was a governor in the NHS. Previously she campaigned to protect cancer services across Staffordshire.

Barrister and mediator Sunny Virk will represent the Liberal Democrats in the by-election. Having grown up in the Midlands he's promising to "fight for every vote.”

Dr Sue Howarth, a former university lecturer, will run as the Green Party candidate for Tamworth. The educator was previously the chair of the Royal Society of Biology in the West Midlands.

Ian Cooper is the Reform UK party candidate - he states only his party can "save Britain", and says Reform UK will "supply an opportunity for the electorate to choose a party that has the interests of the whole of the UK at heart."

The list of candidates in full

  • Andrew Cooper (Conservative)

  • Sarah Edwards (Labour)

  • Sunny Virk (Liberal Democrats)

  • Dr Sue Howarth (Green Party)

  • Ian Cooper (Reform UK)

  • Peter Longman (Independent)

  • Ashlea Simon (Britain First)

  • Howling Laud Hope (Official Monster Raving Loony Party)

  • Robert Bilcliff (UKIP)

How can I vote?

Voting opens at 07:00am and closes at 10:00pm.

Those voting in person must bring a form of photo ID with them. Accepted forms of ID include current or expired UK passport or photo driving licence including a provisional one.

Expired IDs are acceptable, as long as the photo still bears a true resemblance.

Photographs of an ID, copies or digital versions saved on phones and smart devices are not accepted.

Residents who are registered to vote but do not have any form of photo ID from the accepted list, or their ID no longer looks like them, can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

Former Tory whip Chris Pincher resigned as Tamworth MP on 7 September. Credit: PA Images

Who is Chris Pincher and why did he resign?

Former Tory whip Chris Pincher resigned as an MP last week (7 September) after losing his appeal against a suspension for drunkenly groping two men.

He quit the government on 30 June 2022, after accusations that he assaulted two fellow guests at the exclusive Carlton Club in London the evening before.

He had comfortably won the seat for the Conservatives in every election since 2010.

The Commons Standards Committee in July recommended a lengthy suspension for Mr Pincher after it found that the MP’s conduct last summer was “profoundly damaging” and amounted to an abuse of power.

What is the majority in the Tamworth seat?

In the 2019 general election, the Conservatives won a majority, taking 66.3% of the vote.

Chris Pincher took 30,542 votes, whilst Labour candidate Christopher Bain followed with 10,908.

Does Tamworth have an MP?

The MP seat in Tamworth is currently vacant, until a new candidate is elected.

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