Chuka Umunna takes desperate measures to avoid facing a by-election

Chuka Umunna
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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.

Umunna had previously faced demands from his Streatham constituents for a by-election:

Read on...

He continues to face such demands today:

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:

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%.

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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  • Show Comments
      1. Reply to poster on same webpage – bkwanab
        //////
        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)
        //
        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.

    1. Chuka Umunna takes desperate measures to avoid facing a by-election
      ///
      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.

      1. 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

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