Kingswood by-election: Labour starts campaigning

Labour members have started campaigning after a snap by-election was triggered when an MP stepped down over new oil and gas licences.

Conservative Chris Skidmore formally quit as an MP for Kingswood, Bristol, over the government's energy plans.

The seat was held by Labour until the 2010 general election.

Members from the party, which has not announced its candidate, said they will be fighting hard to overturn a 11,000 Tory majority.

The government announced the oil and gas bill in November, in a bid to draw a dividing line with Labour, which has said it will not issue new licences if it wins power.

Ministers say the legislation, which will fix yearly North Sea fossil fuel licensing in law, will help improve the UK's energy security.

But in his resignation statement Mr Skidmore said: "We can not expect other countries to phase out their fossil fuels when at the same time we continue to issue new licences or to open new oil fields.

"It is a tragedy that the UK has been allowed to lose its climate leadership, at a time when our businesses, industries, universities and civil society organisations are providing first-class leadership and expertise to so many across the world."

The formal resignation was handed in by Mr Skidmore on Monday.

The Bristol Labour Party, which has begun canvassing in Kingswood, said: "The Tory majority in Kingswood is more than 11,000 so this will not be easy but we will be giving the campaign everything we have got."

Commenting on Mr Skidmore's resignation, Jeremy Hunt has said he disagrees with his reasoning.

The Conservative chancellor said: "It is very sad to lose a respected colleague like Chris Skidmore.

"But I do profoundly disagree with the reasons that he gave for resigning."

One Kingswood resident, who wanted to be remain anonymous, said: "It's a bit of a shock.

"I think it's sad but I admire him for standing down for his beliefs though. I'm afraid I don't know who I will vote for in the by-election."

Another said they were "very disappointed" Mr Skidmore had quit.

"I think he's been quite good around here," she said.

"I think people should know well in advance who the candidates should be.

"I will vote in both the by-election and the general election."

Mr Skidmore had already announced he would not stand as an MP at the next election.

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney said it was an "embarrassing mess for Rishi Sunak," showing voters "simply don't trust the Conservatives on the environment".

Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer said it left the government's green credentials "in tatters".

All parties are yet to announce candidates for the position.

A date for the by-election to replace Mr Skidmore will be fixed at a future date.

The BBC has contacted the Conservative Party for comment.

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