It’s not that unusual for a would-be Parliamentary candidate to be selected for a seat and then, after a period of time, to quit – perhaps because of a change in their personal circumstances, because they found being a candidate wasn’t really for them or because of an internal dispute.
However, the case of Michael Ellis – Conservative candidate for Northampton North – is a little different from the rest as, after three months consideration by Conservative chiefs, his resignation has been undone.
As the local paper, the Northampton Chronicle, puts it:
Barrister Michael Ellis, who had said he would quit the General Election trail, has now confirmed he will stay at the prospective Tory candidate for Northampton North …
He offered his resignation in February, citing personal reasons, the need to travel and time pressures of his career.
His resignation has been considered for the past three months at Conservative Central Office, which yesterday announced he would remain as its prospective candidate.
Trivia fact: one of Michael Ellis’s clients has been Boy George.
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2 Comments
When he first quit the local party issued a statement saying (published in the Chronicle on 29 February): “Mr Ellis believes that the Conservatives need a candidate with the time available to fight relentlessly for Northampton North.”
He clearly decided he didn’t have that time!
The following week the local party chairman didn’t think there was much of a rush to do anything: “There is no great rush at this stage because we are not expecting a General Election, although if one was announced I would imagine things would start to move a little bit quicker”
It all seems a bit odd that Tory high command has been thinking about this for 3 months. Surely if he has decided he can’t give the time and quit that is the end of the matter. You don’t sit around for three months deciding whether he is up to the job.
Mr Ellis used to be indecisive, now he’s not so sure. The following facts though may be preying on his mind.
Last year, the Lib Dems took majority control of Northampton Borough Council, defeating a minority Tory administration.
There were 4 Conservative Borough councillors on the Borough Council, now there are none. All 4 lost to the the Lib Dems. The losses include Parklands, a ward Mr Ellis used to represent himself.
Northampton North is notionally a Labour held seat, with the Tories second. Last year, 21 Lib Dem councillors were elected in the constituency, only 2 Labour but zero Tories. The Lib Dem vote across the constituency was over 50%. A fine tribute to Mr Ellis’s skills as a local campaigner.
Next year, the Tories have to defend their last County Council division in the constituency. Parklands again. It will be a difficult job, especially while the Tory controlled County Council is still resisting a massive local campaign to stop them selling off school playing fields.
I think Mr. Elllis got it right first time!