The resignation of Labour MP Chris Matheson earlier this month over allegations of sexual misconduct will mean there a by-election will be held in the City of Chester constituency on the 1st of December. The Conservative candidate, announced this weekend, will be Elizabeth Wardlaw, a councillor for Cheshire East Council’s Odd Rode ward.
Wardlaw is also a nurse, and has served as a local councillor since 2015. She told CheshireLive: “Chester is such an iconic city and if elected as the Conservative MP I will fight for the issues that matter to local people, ensuring their voices are heard in parliament.”
Wardlaw recently appeared on BBC Breakfast to suggest that Boris Johnson should not return as Prime Minister after Liz Truss’s resignation, putting in a pithy fashion ‘Boris has had his day, back off Boris’. Perhaps the decision of members to confirm her suggests Johnson-mania in the wider party is beginning to ease off.
Nevertheless, Wardlaw will face an uphill challenge at the election. Matheson’s majority at the last election was 6, 164, or 11.3 per cent. With the national polling situation as poor as it is, this should be an easy Labour hold.