Richard Tice, Reform Party Leader, Old Bexley and Sidcup have announced that they will run for by-election, because they are against “socialism”. Boris JohnsonOf The Conservative Party.
Mr Tice’s party, formerly known as the Brexit Party, has advocated lower taxes that it has campaigned against as a “wake-up nonsense” and protests against the “erosion” of civil liberties during coronavirus lockdowns.
The by-election began after his death James Brokenshire, A former Conservative cabinet minister who died of lung cancer at the age of 53 earlier this month.
Mr Brokenshire has served as an MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup since 2010 and last won nearly 19,000 votes over his Labor rival – a substantial majority.
The south-east London constituency has returned to the Conservative MPs since it was formed in 1983 and was formerly owned by former Prime Minister Ted Heath.
Despite the clear Conservative lead in the field, Mr Tice said The Daily Telegraph He wanted to send “a powerful message to Boris Johnson” about the impact of his government’s manifesto-raising decision to raise taxes.
Mr Tice, who replaced Nigel Farage as leader in 2021, argued that electing MPs from a reform that did not return MPs to the Commons, including the title of Brexit Party, was a “huge caution”.
“While this election is terrible, I stand by the people of Bexley and Sidcup to ensure that the option is given,” Mr Tice said.
“The reform appeal to these traditionally conservative voters is to use the moment to send a powerful message to Boris Johnson and his cabinet.
“We now have the highest overall taxes for 70 years and the lowest medium-term growth forecasts for 60 years, which means record authoritarian controls and long waiting lists.
“This also means higher energy costs when we approach the mountain zero cost of net zero cost.”
The process of electing a Conservative candidate to run for by-election following Mr Brokenshire’s death is still underway, but Labor has already selected Daniel Francis – a Bexley councilor and former leader of the Labor group on council.
In a video message, Mr Francis, who lives in the field, said he would work “tirelessly” for the community if elected.