The Tories Are Collapsing Faster Than Anyone Expected
The chance of a repeat of Labour’s 1997 landslide is growing by the month, if not the day.
Conservative MP Peter Bone's constituency office in Wellingborough.
Photographer: Joe Giddens - PA Images/PA ImagesAt the Conservative Party’s constituency office in Wellingborough, a town two hours north of London, a sign tells us that local Tory MP Peter Bone, who was first elected in 2005, is “listening to Wellingborough and Rushden.” But for how much longer?
A report from the parliamentary standards committee has recommended that Bone be suspended from the House of Commons for six weeks for serial bullying and “one act of sexual misconduct.” (Bone denies the allegations). If the punishment is confirmed by parliament, a recall petition will be triggered, and a by-election will probably follow.