Shock resignation to trigger South West by-election
A by-election is to be held in South Gloucestershire following the resignation of former minister Chris Skidmore
The Kingswood MP announced his resignation on Friday in protest at the government’s environmental policies.
Mr Skidmore, who said he will resign the Conservative whip, launched a scathing attack on Mr Sunak’s green credentials in a lengthy statement.
The Tories are already gearing up for a by-election in Wellingborough after disgraced MP Peter Bone was unseated by voters in a recall petition.
Mr Skidmore, who led a Government review of net zero, said the “future will judge harshly” anyone who backs the government’s energy bill.
He said the bill “would in effect allow more frequent new oil and gas licences and the increased production of new fossil fuels in the North Sea”.
The former energy minister said: “I cannot vote for a Bill that clearly promotes the production of new oil and gas.”
“To fail to act, rather than merely speak out, is to tolerate a status quo that cannot be sustained. I am therefore resigning my party whip and instead intend to be free from any party-political allegiance.”
Mr Skidmore added that his decision to resign the whip meant his constituents “deserve the right to elect a new Member of Parliament”.
He said: “I therefore will be standing down from Parliament as soon as possible.”
