A deputy who is not contesting her seat in the elections has resigned from the Conservatives after being suspended for supporting the reformist candidate in her constituency.
Lucy Allan, the outgoing MP for Telford, said on X that she supported Alan Adams, who is standing for the rival Reform Party, to be the constituency’s next MP.
Allan, who has represented Telford since 2015, told the PA news agency she had quit the Conservatives so she could support Adams – but this came after a party spokesperson said she had been suspended over her social media post.
“I have resigned from the Conservative Party to support Alan Adams as the next MP for Telford,” said Allan.
“I have known Alan for many years and he really is the best person for the job. I want what’s best for Telford and I can’t just let the Labor candidate run roughshod.”
Allan is one of 78 Conservative MPs not standing in the election.
His decision to back Reform will further increase pressure on Rishi Sunak, who faces an electoral threat from Reform after the party, led by Richard Tice, promised to field candidates in 630 of the 650 seats contested on July 4.
The Prime Minister also faces criticism for having started his campaign in a haphazard manner, namely for calling the elections in the rain and for visiting the Titanic neighborhood in Belfast wearing a life jacket.
Before her resignation, a Conservative spokesman said: “Lucy Allan has been suspended from the party with immediate effect.
“The people of Telford now have the opportunity to vote for a dedicated and hard-working new candidate who will put Telford first.
“A vote for Reform is a vote for Keir Starmer.”
Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, said: “The Conservatives are in complete collapse. Every day of their campaign ends in chaos and calamity.
“From gimmicky political ads to an exodus of MPs and MPs on holiday during the election, the Conservatives are in freefall.
“The Liberal Democrats are on the rise, across the country, we are taking the fight to the Tories while they fight like rats in a sack.”
This breaking news is being updated and more details will be published soon.
Refresh the page for the most complete version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet through Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our Youtube channel to stay up to date with the latest news.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
