Recall petition opened in Blackpool South to decide if suspended MP Scott Benton should lose seat

Scott Benton was suspended from the Commons after he was caught offering to lobby ministers over gambling. Credit: PA Images

A recall petition has opened in Blackpool to decide whether Blackpool South MP Scott Benton MP should lose his seat.The ex-Conservative MP was suspended from the Commons for 35 days for offering to lobby ministers over gambling.

The petition will stay open for six weeks, and if 10 per cent of voters sign it, then a by-election will be triggered.

The designated signing places are:

  • The Salvation Army, Raikes Parade, Blackpool FY1 4EL

  • Blackpool Sports Centre, West Park Drive, Blackpool FY3 9HQ

  • Revoe Library, Revoe Street, Blackpool FY1 5HN

  • Molyneux Community Centre, Molyneux Drive, Blackpool FY4 3JJ

  • The Solaris Centre, New South Promenade, Blackpool FY4 1RW

  • Bostonway Community Centre, Bostonway, Blackpool FY4 4YQ

  • Tarnside Community Centre, Tarnside (off Langdale Road), Blackpool FY4 4RD

  • Aysgarth Community Centre, Aysgarth Court (off Whernside, Highfield Road), Blackpool FY4 5LX

    What is a 'recall petition' and why has it been triggered?
Mr Benton was caught by the Times offering to lobby minister over gambling. Credit: Times Newspaper

Mr Benton was found to have breached Commons rules after he was caught by The Times offering to lobby ministers and table parliamentary questions on behalf of gambling investors.

If a by-election takes place, the Conservatives would be defending a slim majority of 3,690 votes over their nearest opponents, Labour, from whom they took the seat in 2019.

A by-election in Blackpool South would be the fourth such vote held this year, while defeat would be the 11th time the Government has lost a seat in a by-election since the start of the current Parliament in 2019.

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