Ex-MP is no longer a true Tory, new candidate says
UK ParliamentThe candidate standing for the Conservative Party in Telford has said former MP Lucy Allan was no longer a true Tory.
Ms Allan, who was the MP for Telford in Shropshire from 2015, was suspended by the Conservative Party this week for endorsing Reform UK candidate Alan Adams.
She said the Conservative Party was "disconnected from the needs of Telford people" and that Reform UK was "championing the needs and concerns of us all".
Hannah Campbell said the local party association was not informed of her decision to back a rival candidate.
Ms Campbell said she had a good relationship with Ms Allan but had not heard from her since she endorsed Reform UK.
"I respected the work that Lucy did, particularly being that loud voice when others were so deafeningly silent on things like child sexual exploitation and the maternity scandal.
"But Lucy can no longer be a true Conservative because no Conservative would help Kier Starmer win the election.
"Moving Conservative votes to Reform will hand Labour the keys to Number 10," she added.
In a statement to the BBC, Ms Allan criticised her former party for not listening to the concerns of British people.
She said: "Decent people are denigrated for wanting secure borders and controlled immigration, so that our public services can cope.
"While the Tories fret about vapes, A-Level maths and free childcare for those earning £100k [a year], and Labour fusses about votes at 16, Diane Abbott and private school fees, Reform is championing the needs and concerns of us all."
'Playing into Labour's hands'
Ms Allan announced last year that she would stand down at the next general election, which the prime minister called earlier this month.
Her role as an MP came to an end on Thursday when Parliament was dissolved ahead of polling day on 4 July.
Labour's candidate for Telford, Shaun Davies, said: “I’m focused on spreading Labour’s positive plan for change, and showing people that they have the opportunity of voting for a candidate who will stand up for Telford.
“This is simply another drama inside the Tory party that doesn’t help a single resident of Telford."
The candidates standing in Telford include:
- Hannah Campbell for the Conservative Party
- John Adams for the Green Party
- Shaun Davies for the Labour Party
- Alan Adams for Reform UK
- Allan Bailey for Workers Party of Britain
A full list of candidates will be published on the BBC website when nominations close on Friday 7 June.
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