Defection and Discord: Lucy Allan Leaves Tories to Support Reform Party Rival Amidst Conservative Turmoil

Departing MP Lucy Allan Leaves Conservative Party to Back Opposition Reform Candidate

The Conservative Party has suspended Ms. Allan after she chose to support a competing candidate from the Reform Party in Telford, stating her refusal to allow the Labour candidate to win uncontested.

Political journalist @Journoamrogers

Monday, May 27, 2024, at 8

A Member of Parliament who has decided not to run in the upcoming election has resigned from the Conservative Party following her suspension for endorsing the Reform Party candidate in her district.

Lucy Allan, the departing Member of Parliament for Telford, announced on X that she is endorsing Alan Adams, a candidate from the competing Reform Party, to succeed her as the constituency's next MP.

Ms. Allan, the MP for Telford since 2015, informed the PA News Agency that her departure from the Conservative Party was to back Adams. However, her announcement followed a statement from a party spokesperson indicating she had been suspended due to her activity on social media.

"Ms. Allan announced her departure from the Conservative Party to endorse Alan Adams as the upcoming Member of Parliament for Telford."

"I've been acquainted with Alan for a long time, and he truly is the ideal candidate for the position. I desire the best for Telford and I cannot simply allow the Labour candidate to win uncontested."

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Ms. Allan is among the 78 Conservative Party members who have chosen not to seek re-election.

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Her choice to support Reform is set to intensify the strain on Rishi Sunak, as he confronts a significant challenge from the opposing party. This comes after its leader, Richard Tice, vowed to field candidates in 630 out of the 650 available seats in the upcoming election on July 4.

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The prime minister has come under fire for launching his campaign under less-than-ideal conditions, announcing the election during rainy weather and making an appearance in Belfast's Titanic quarter donned in a life jacket, which has led to unfavorable comparisons of his party to a doomed vessel.

A confidential document revealed by The Times seems to indicate that staff at Conservative Party headquarters have expressed dissatisfaction with MPs for not fully supporting the campaign.

In an interview with Sky News, Reform party leader Richard Tice expressed his pleasure that Ms. Allan acknowledges Reform as the party advocating for practical policies.

"He added that her support for our outstanding candidate in the Telford area following her resignation serves as both an endorsement and confirmation of that."

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Before she stepped down, a spokesperson for the Conservative Party stated: "Lucy Allan has been immediately suspended from the party.

Telford's residents are presented with the opportunity to elect a new, committed, and diligent candidate focused on prioritizing Telford's needs.

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"Casting a ballot for Reform equates to supporting Keir Starmer."

Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat representative for North Shropshire, commented, "The Conservatives are utterly falling apart. Each day of their campaign concludes with disorder and disaster."

"The Conservatives are facing a turbulent time, marked by superficial policy declarations, a significant number of MPs leaving, and others taking vacations during the election period."

"The Liberal Democrats are gaining momentum nationwide, actively challenging the Conservatives, who are deeply embroiled in internal conflicts."

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