A by-election will take place in Boris Johnson’s vacant seat. (Picture: Carl Court/Getty Images)
In yet another turbulent episode for British politics, Boris Johnson announced on Friday that he would be leaving parliament ‘with immediate effect’ after receiving an advanced copy of the MP-led Privileges Committee report into parties at Downing Street during Covid lockdowns.
The former prime minister launched a blistering attack on the committee, which features four Conservative MPs, two Labour and one SNP.
In his resignation statement, Boris Johnson said, ‘Their purpose from the beginning has been to find me guilty, regardless of the facts. This is the very definition of a kangaroo court.’
The committee, in turn, put out a statement in response saying they ‘followed the procedures and mandate of the house at all times’.
Two staunch allies of Mr Johnson, Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams, both also announced their intention to step down, despite not making it onto the list of resignation honours that were published before Johnson’s resignation.
This means the government will face three by-elections in the coming months.
But what is a by-election, and when could they happen?
Here is what you need to know.
What is a by-election?
A by-election in the UK is a special election held in a particular constituency to fill a vacancy that has arisen between general elections. This can happen when an MP resigns, dies, is declared bankrupt, takes a seat in the House of Lords, or is convicted of a serious crime.
However, a by-election does not have to take place if an MP changes party.
By-elections are an essential part of the democratic process, as they allow voters to have their say on who should represent them in Parliament without a general election.
Candidates from all major political parties typically contest the by-election, and the outcome can have significant implications for the balance of power in the House of Commons if the government majority is thin.
However, if an MP dies in office (such as the murder of Jo Cox, MP for Batley and Spen until June 2016), the leading UK political parties will usually choose not to contest the seat.
Overall, by-elections are a vital part of the UK’s political system and serve as a strong barometer of public opinion alongside polling and general or local elections.
How does a by-election get organised?
Usually, an MP will choose to stand down with immediate effect, meaning an MP of the same party (usually in a neighbouring constituency) manages all local constituency matters.
The party’s Chief Whip will then begin the process by ‘moving the writ’.
According to Parliament.uk, moving the writ is a motion that ‘that the Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new Writ for the electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the constituency of …. in the room of…’
After the speaker poses the question to MPs and they agree, the motion becomes an order to the speaker. The speaker then issues a warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, who sends the writ to the Returning Officer.
A new Writ is usually issued within three months of the vacancy occurring. However, there have been instances when seats remained vacant longer, even over six months.
This can occur if the Parliamentary term is coming to an end and a general election is in sight, as they will be filled then.
When could the next by-elections be?
The timetable for the by-election runs from 21 to 27 working days after the writ is issued, meaning parties have around a three to four-week campaign window.
With three by-elections due to take place, they will likely be held on the same day during early Summer 2023.
Nigel Adams will be vacating his seat of Selby and Ainsty. (Picture: Wiktor Szymanowicz/REX/Shutterstock)
Where will the next by-elections be?
So far, three MPs have stepped down, meaning each one of their seats will see a byelection in the coming months. They are:
Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson)
Mid-Bedfordshire (Nadine Dorries)
Selby and Ainsty (Nigel Adams)
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The former Prime Minister will step down ‘with immediate effect’.