2025 Runcorn and Helsby recall petition
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A recall petition for the United Kingdom parliamentary constituency of Runcorn and Helsby is expected in 2025. Runcorn and Helsby's MP, Mike Amesbury, was sentenced on 24 February 2025 to 10 weeks in prison for assault.[1] The petition will be triggered if the sentence stands. If the petition goes ahead, 10% of the constituency's electorate will have to sign the petition to cause a by-election.
Background
[edit]Amesbury was first elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Weaver Vale at the 2017 general election.[2] Weaver Vale was abolished in the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies and largely replaced by the new constituency of Runcorn and Helsby.[3] Amesbury was elected to represent Runcorn and Helsby at the 2024 general election with a majority of almost 15,000.[4]
In the early hours of 26 October 2024, Amesbury was filmed in Frodsham repeatedly punching a man.[5][6] Pending an investigation, he was suspended from the Labour Party.[7][6]
On 7 November 2024, Amesbury was charged with common assault.[8] He pleaded guilty to assault and subsequently resigned from the Labour Party.[9] On 24 February 2025, he was sentenced to 10 weeks imprisonment. The Recall of MPs Act 2015 is triggered by any custodial sentence (even if it is suspended).[1] However, Amesbury is expected to appeal the sentencing decision.[10] A petition is not triggered until the appeal period has expired without the sentence being overturned.[11][12]
In reaction, Labour and Reform UK called for a by-election.[10]
If the petition goes ahead, it requires 10% of the constituency's electorate to sign it to trigger a by-election.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "MP Mike Amesbury jailed for 10 weeks for punching constituent in street". BBC News. 24 February 2025.
- ^ "Election results 2017: Labour gains Weaver Vale, Warrington South and Crewe and Nantwich". BBC News. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "UK Parliament election results: Notional election for the constituency of Runcorn and Helsby on 12 December 2019". UK Parliament election results. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Runcorn and Helsby Results – General Election 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Kampfner, Constance (28 October 2024). "Man punched by Mike Amesbury in argument about bridge is named". The Times. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ a b Whannel, Kate; Farley, Harry (27 October 2024). "Labour suspends MP after CCTV appears to show him punching man". BBC News. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Haslam, Ben; Thorp, Liam (27 October 2024). "Labour suspends Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury over punch video". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ "MP Mike Amesbury charged with street assault". BBC News. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "MP Mike Amesbury resigns from Labour after pleading guilty to assault". Manchester Evening News. 16 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury jailed after punching man in street".
- ^ https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/25 "The first recall condition is that— (a)the MP has, after becoming an MP, been convicted in the United Kingdom of an offence and sentenced or ordered to be imprisoned or detained, and (b)the appeal period expires without the conviction, sentence or order having being overturned on appeal."
- ^ a b Grierson, Jamie (24 February 2025). "MP Mike Amesbury sentenced to 10 weeks in prison for assault". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 February 2025.