Lib Dems Brace For Possible Blue Wall By Election If Michael Gove Quits

Sir Ed Davey’s party has set a selection deadline this week in the “blue wall” constituency south-east of Surrey Heath, in preparation for the former minister’s possible exit. A Lib Dem source told the Independent that several local party figures had heard that Gove could be ready to quit if his rival Liz Truss becomes leader and his favorite candidate Rishi Sunak loses his seat. But a Tory source denied Mr Gove intended to quit the Commons – accusing the opposition party of a “dirty tricks” ploy to drum up support for the blue wall. The Lib Dems in Surrey Heath have mailed members to explain nominations for the local selection process which closes on Wednesday afternoon, amid reports Gove is considering a return to journalism. “We always work hard to support seats where there may be potential by-elections,” said a Lib Dem source who said the party was on “high alert” in the area. “Given current rumors that Michael Gove has resigned from his constituency to return to journalism, it would be natural to ensure that Surrey Heath is election-ready,” they added. The source said the party is also speeding up its selection process in several other target areas in the south held by Tory MPs – including Nadine Dorries’ seat in Mid Bedfordshire – where by-elections are a possibility. Boris Johnson is said to be considering appointing the culture secretary – reportedly ready to give up front-line politics to write novels – as part of his resignation price list. Gove, meanwhile, has raised eyebrows with the force of his recent attack on Truss’ economic plans – claiming her prioritization of tax cuts amounted to a “vacation from reality”. The former cabinet minister – who fell out with Boris Johnson in July when he called on him to resign in the final days before his resignation – wrote in The Times that he “doesn’t expect” to be in government again. But a Tory source insisted Gove, who was spotted in Ibiza over the summer, will continue as a backbencher once the leadership contest is over. “Unfortunately this is yet another example of Lib Dem dirty tricks,” they said. “They are more interested in playing politics than delivering to the voters. Michael remains fully committed to his constituents in Surrey Heath and has no plans to stand down.” Gove holds a large majority of more than 18,000 in Surrey Heath, which the Tories have held since it was created in 2001. But the Lib Dems can point to huge swings in their favor when they defeated the Tories in the recent ‘blue wall’ by-elections in Chesham and Amersham, North Shropshire and Tiverton and Honiton. A party source also pointed to the recent local election success in Woking – close to Gove’s Surrey Heath seat, and said local issues such as the state of Frimley Park Hospital, one of dozens which has structural problems with its concrete roof. “Unlike the Conservatives, we never ignore what people say locally,” they said. “We don’t take anything for granted and we know that winning a position like this would be very hard work.”

title: “Lib Dems Brace For Possible Blue Wall By Election If Michael Gove Quits Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-26” author: “Margaret Bagwell”

Sir Ed Davey’s party has set a selection deadline this week in the “blue wall” constituency south-east of Surrey Heath, in preparation for the former minister’s possible exit. A Lib Dem source told the Independent that several local party figures had heard that Gove could be ready to quit if his rival Liz Truss becomes leader and his favorite candidate Rishi Sunak loses his seat. But a Tory source denied Mr Gove intended to quit the Commons – accusing the opposition party of a “dirty tricks” ploy to drum up support for the blue wall. The Lib Dems in Surrey Heath have mailed members to explain nominations for the local selection process which closes on Wednesday afternoon, amid reports Gove is considering a return to journalism. “We always work hard to support seats where there may be potential by-elections,” said a Lib Dem source who said the party was on “high alert” in the area. “Given current rumors that Michael Gove has resigned from his constituency to return to journalism, it would be natural to ensure that Surrey Heath is election-ready,” they added. The source said the party is also speeding up its selection process in several other target areas in the south held by Tory MPs – including Nadine Dorries’ seat in Mid Bedfordshire – where by-elections are a possibility. Boris Johnson is said to be considering appointing the culture secretary – reportedly ready to give up front-line politics to write novels – as part of his resignation price list. Gove, meanwhile, has raised eyebrows with the force of his recent attack on Truss’ economic plans – claiming her prioritization of tax cuts amounted to a “vacation from reality”. The former cabinet minister – who fell out with Boris Johnson in July when he called on him to resign in the final days before his resignation – wrote in The Times that he “doesn’t expect” to be in government again. But a Tory source insisted Gove, who was spotted in Ibiza over the summer, will continue as a backbencher once the leadership contest is over. “Unfortunately this is yet another example of Lib Dem dirty tricks,” they said. “They are more interested in playing politics than delivering to the voters. Michael remains fully committed to his constituents in Surrey Heath and has no plans to stand down.” Gove holds a large majority of more than 18,000 in Surrey Heath, which the Tories have held since it was created in 2001. But the Lib Dems can point to huge swings in their favor when they defeated the Tories in the recent ‘blue wall’ by-elections in Chesham and Amersham, North Shropshire and Tiverton and Honiton. A party source also pointed to the recent local election success in Woking – close to Gove’s Surrey Heath seat, and said local issues such as the state of Frimley Park Hospital, one of dozens which has structural problems with its concrete roof. “Unlike the Conservatives, we never ignore what people say locally,” they said. “We don’t take anything for granted and we know that winning a position like this would be very hard work.”

title: “Lib Dems Brace For Possible Blue Wall By Election If Michael Gove Quits Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-26” author: “Candace Logan”

Sir Ed Davey’s party has set a selection deadline this week in the “blue wall” constituency south-east of Surrey Heath, in preparation for the former minister’s possible exit. A Lib Dem source told the Independent that several local party figures had heard that Gove could be ready to quit if his rival Liz Truss becomes leader and his favorite candidate Rishi Sunak loses his seat. But a Tory source denied Mr Gove intended to quit the Commons – accusing the opposition party of a “dirty tricks” ploy to drum up support for the blue wall. The Lib Dems in Surrey Heath have mailed members to explain nominations for the local selection process which closes on Wednesday afternoon, amid reports Gove is considering a return to journalism. “We always work hard to support seats where there may be potential by-elections,” said a Lib Dem source who said the party was on “high alert” in the area. “Given current rumors that Michael Gove has resigned from his constituency to return to journalism, it would be natural to ensure that Surrey Heath is election-ready,” they added. The source said the party is also speeding up its selection process in several other target areas in the south held by Tory MPs – including Nadine Dorries’ seat in Mid Bedfordshire – where by-elections are a possibility. Boris Johnson is said to be considering appointing the culture secretary – reportedly ready to give up front-line politics to write novels – as part of his resignation price list. Gove, meanwhile, has raised eyebrows with the force of his recent attack on Truss’ economic plans – claiming her prioritization of tax cuts amounted to a “vacation from reality”. The former cabinet minister – who fell out with Boris Johnson in July when he called on him to resign in the final days before his resignation – wrote in The Times that he “doesn’t expect” to be in government again. But a Tory source insisted Gove, who was spotted in Ibiza over the summer, will continue as a backbencher once the leadership contest is over. “Unfortunately this is yet another example of Lib Dem dirty tricks,” they said. “They are more interested in playing politics than delivering to the voters. Michael remains fully committed to his constituents in Surrey Heath and has no plans to stand down.” Gove holds a large majority of more than 18,000 in Surrey Heath, which the Tories have held since it was created in 2001. But the Lib Dems can point to huge swings in their favor when they defeated the Tories in the recent ‘blue wall’ by-elections in Chesham and Amersham, North Shropshire and Tiverton and Honiton. A party source also pointed to the recent local election success in Woking – close to Gove’s Surrey Heath seat, and said local issues such as the state of Frimley Park Hospital, one of dozens which has structural problems with its concrete roof. “Unlike the Conservatives, we never ignore what people say locally,” they said. “We don’t take anything for granted and we know that winning a position like this would be very hard work.”

title: “Lib Dems Brace For Possible Blue Wall By Election If Michael Gove Quits Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-23” author: “Kathy Duncan”

Sir Ed Davey’s party has set a selection deadline this week in the “blue wall” constituency south-east of Surrey Heath, in preparation for the former minister’s possible exit. A Lib Dem source told the Independent that several local party figures had heard that Gove could be ready to quit if his rival Liz Truss becomes leader and his favorite candidate Rishi Sunak loses his seat. But a Tory source denied Mr Gove intended to quit the Commons – accusing the opposition party of a “dirty tricks” ploy to drum up support for the blue wall. The Lib Dems in Surrey Heath have mailed members to explain nominations for the local selection process which closes on Wednesday afternoon, amid reports Gove is considering a return to journalism. “We always work hard to support seats where there may be potential by-elections,” said a Lib Dem source who said the party was on “high alert” in the area. “Given current rumors that Michael Gove has resigned from his constituency to return to journalism, it would be natural to ensure that Surrey Heath is election-ready,” they added. The source said the party is also speeding up its selection process in several other target areas in the south held by Tory MPs – including Nadine Dorries’ seat in Mid Bedfordshire – where by-elections are a possibility. Boris Johnson is said to be considering appointing the culture secretary – reportedly ready to give up front-line politics to write novels – as part of his resignation price list. Gove, meanwhile, has raised eyebrows with the force of his recent attack on Truss’ economic plans – claiming her prioritization of tax cuts amounted to a “vacation from reality”. The former cabinet minister – who fell out with Boris Johnson in July when he called on him to resign in the final days before his resignation – wrote in The Times that he “doesn’t expect” to be in government again. But a Tory source insisted Gove, who was spotted in Ibiza over the summer, will continue as a backbencher once the leadership contest is over. “Unfortunately this is yet another example of Lib Dem dirty tricks,” they said. “They are more interested in playing politics than delivering to the voters. Michael remains fully committed to his constituents in Surrey Heath and has no plans to stand down.” Gove holds a large majority of more than 18,000 in Surrey Heath, which the Tories have held since it was created in 2001. But the Lib Dems can point to huge swings in their favor when they defeated the Tories in the recent ‘blue wall’ by-elections in Chesham and Amersham, North Shropshire and Tiverton and Honiton. A party source also pointed to the recent local election success in Woking – close to Gove’s Surrey Heath seat, and said local issues such as the state of Frimley Park Hospital, one of dozens which has structural problems with its concrete roof. “Unlike the Conservatives, we never ignore what people say locally,” they said. “We don’t take anything for granted and we know that winning a position like this would be very hard work.”