Another council calls for Nadine Dorries to stand down as MP

A second council in Nadine Dorries’ constituency has called for her to resign, nine weeks after the Boris Johnson loyalist said she would stand down as an MP with immediate effect.

Ms Dorries said she wanted to leave parliament after she failed to get offered a peerage in Mr Johnson’s resignation honours list.

But despite saying she would stand down as Mid Bedfordshire MP with “immediate effect” in June, she is still yet to formally vacate the seat. A by-election is not able to take place until she goes.

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Shefford Town Council has now written to her saying she needs to resign “immediately”, joining Flitwick Council in demanding the MP leaves.

Both authorities are not politically aligned.

In a letter to the MP, Ken Pollard, the town mayor of Shefford, wrote: “Following a discussion at the full council meeting of Shefford Town Council on Friday 28 July, I have been asked to write to you formally on behalf of the residents of Shefford to raise the town’s concerns and frustration at the continuing lack of representation for the people of Mid Bedfordshire at Westminster.

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“In your role as the acting member of parliament of Mid Bedfordshire, residents of Shefford feel that, due to your scant interest in your constituency, your aversion to attending local events or services and your lack of a maintained constituency office, the local area has been ‘abandoned’ by yourself.

“Your last spoken contribution in the House of Commons was on 7 June 2022, and your last written question was asked on 20 December 2017.

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“In addition, your behaviour and actions reported in the press are in direct violation of ‘The Seven Principles of Public Life’ (also known as the ‘Nolan Principles’, published on 31 May 1995), which apply to anyone who works as a public officeholder and all those who are elected or appointed to public office.

“Early this year, you announced your intention to stand down as a member of parliament at the next election.

“Your intention to stand down as Member of Parliament with immediate effect was then announced on 9 June 2023. Nine weeks have now passed, and you have not resigned.

“Shefford Town Council has along history of operating on a non-political basis, with a strong ethos that our council must represent the views and needs of residents regardless of party politics.

“Our residents desperately need effective representation now, and Shefford Town Council calls on you to honour your commitment and tender your resignation immediately.”

Ms Dorries has accused Mr Sunak of interfering in the process of her getting ennobled, and says she wants to wait for more information before leaving Westminster.

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Immigration minister Robert Jenrick has called for her to step down – adding that Downing Street will “consider” a proposal to oust her.

The Liberal Democrats have called for Mr Sunak to strip the Conservative Party whip from Ms Dorries.

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