Chuka Umunna takes desperate measures to avoid facing a by-election
On 6 September, serial party-changer Chuka Umunna announced that he would be competing for a different parliamentary seat in the next general election. Since leaving the Labour Party earlier this year, he has refused to give constituents a chance to change their minds too via a by-election.
I'm delighted to have been appointed as the @LibDems candidate for the Cities of London & Westminster. I relish the prospect of ensuring the constituency – which is a global symbol for open, liberal values– is represented by a party and an MP who will be true to those values. https://t.co/6sWYUkGJ7M
— ChukaUmunna (@ChukaUmunna) September 6, 2019
Umunna had previously faced demands from his Streatham constituents for a by-election:
Amazing turnout for campaigners braving the elements to demand a by-election in Streatham.
Almost every single voter I spoke to on the doorstep thought Chuka Umunna should stand down and allow an election. pic.twitter.com/MAjHaaodZj
— Owen Jones (@owenjonesjourno) March 16, 2019
He continues to face such demands today:
Confirms what we all knew all along: Chuka Umunna is an unprincipled careerist who doesn't care about the people of Streatham. He needs to call a by election. https://t.co/a6VYdP85Eg
— Anita (@a_nitak) September 6, 2019
The currently Liberal Democrat MP previously defended his refusal to trigger a by-election, however, saying that “under our constitution you are elected as an individual first and foremost”. And he insisted local people “don’t have a problem with what I’m doing”. This was despite him stressing very openly in 2017 that he himself couldn’t forgive the Lib Dems for the suffering they’d helped the Conservatives to inflict on the constituency:
Whatever common ground we may have with LibDems & some Tories on Brexit I can't forgive what they've done to my area https://t.co/hMq7DEejah pic.twitter.com/vtvPzpBDE3
— ChukaUmunna (@ChukaUmunna) April 24, 2017
While apparently confident about local support, though, he’s now flying off to a different seat.
Out of the frying pan and into the fire?
Streatham was a long-time Conservative seat, but Labour has controlled it since 1992. The Lib Dems, meanwhile, last came in second place in 2010. So perhaps Umunna was wary of a possible defeat if he stood there as a Lib Dem candidate.
Either way, though, the Cities of London and Westminster seat may not be any easier for him to win. As the BBC reported:
Twice during the 1980s the Lib Dems came second to the Conservatives but the party has never received more than 21% of the vote and has often trailed behind Labour in third.
Indeed, Labour won 38% of the votes in 2017, while the Lib Dems won only 11%.
Can see that winning Streatham as a Lib Dem would have been difficult. But not sure that chances in Westminster are any better. If anything Lib Dems have fared better historically in Umunna’s seat (came close second in 2010). https://t.co/mDhzI6s672 pic.twitter.com/uDZOYFE3vI
— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) September 6, 2019
In short, the next general election may not be very kind to Umunna.
At least Streatham constituents finally know just how committed to them Umunna is, though.
Featured image via YouTube
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Serves the loser right. His constituency deserves better.
Reply to poster on same webpage – bkwanab
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You are correct –bkwanab
His voter needs to know the truth and the most important thing here (they have a right to know under our U.K. laws)
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His should be Held FULLY accountable for his own action not that of is voters he is failing to serve right now at a cost to them all.
He must also prove to other parties’ member + their voter
his true intentions to that party + its voters know.
remembering this important TRUE FACT, he is a public servant, ONLY! — NOT A GOD voters.
He will look after himself first remember that O.K.
Chuka Umunna takes desperate measures to avoid facing a by-election
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LOOK like this M.P. can be solicited for any party
A polite Question for him from me as a free voter No ties to any party, in power or out of power.
I also pay No fees to any party to vote.
Q-1 Mr. Umunna was you a Tory light member while in Labour party yes or no?
Q-2 Have you had face to face meeting with your constituents over you moving to over parties yes or no?
Q-3 Are you a M.P. just for the cash plus perks SIR yes or no?
Q-4 Do you think it is right for us hardworking taxpayer to pay you a living wage + expense to do nothing only jump from party to party SIR yes or no?
Q-5 Are you now intending to upset over party member plus their voters to keep your job in any Govt party yes or no?
Q-6 Do you think any voter trust you now SIR yes or no?
FINALY!
I do be-leave this man is or could be or maybe a plant in any party now to break them up from within so be very aware of him which ever party ends up with him now,This post is my personal’ opinion voter of all parties o.k.
A By election on his seat should be held now A.S.A.P.
Vote Chukka Umunna, get…? Voters in Cities of London & Westminster beware!
Mystea—fairer point
But you forget they is more than London + Manchester voters to make a Govt party in power.
We free voter all over the U.K-Wales-N/Ireland-Scotland areas, also vote in G.E. + any Byelection held now before any G.E. time frame
Please do not forget this important point –Mystea