Demand for by-election as MP Suella Braverman defects to Reform UK as 'that’s how democracy should work'
Opposition councillors in Fareham are calling for Suella Braverman to stand down as MP after defecting to Reform UK.
Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors in the borough are calling for Ms Braverman, who announced on Monday she was leaving the Conservative party, to resign and call a by-election.
The Lib Dems, the official opposition on Fareham Borough Council, has tabled a motion calling on Cllr Simon Martin, the Conservative leader of the council, to formally write to Ms Braverman urging her to resign and allow a by-election.
The motion is expected to be debated and voted on at a council meeting on February 20.
Leader of the opposition, Cllr David Hamilton (Lib Dem, Wallington and Downend) said: “Trust in politics is fragile.
“When someone changes party and keeps their seat for most of a parliamentary term, that trust is damaged.
“A by-election would give people in Fareham and Waterlooville a clear choice and that’s how democracy should work.”
He added: “If Suella Braverman believes her new party reflects the views of local people, the simplest and most honest thing to do is stand down and let voters decide.”
Former home secretary Ms Braverman was re-elected in July 2024 as a Conservative MP for the Fareham and Waterlooville constituency, which includes the Borough of Fareham.
Cllr Hamilton said: “Reform finished fourth locally at that election and did not secure a mandate from voters to represent the area in Parliament.”
Labour ward councillor for Fort Fareham, Gemma Furnivall, agreed: “I’ve been inundated with messages saying there should be a by-election and that this personal choice from our MP should be put in front of voters to decide on – I agree with them.”
Ms Furnivall stood against Ms Braverman at the last general election and won 23 per cent of the vote, reducing Ms Braverman’s majority to 6,000 votes and a 35 per cent share.
She added: “Suella’s defection to Reform without asking voters for their consent proves what I have said before, it’s Suella first, and Fareham and Waterlooville last.
“The irony couldn’t be clearer.
“She now claims Britain is ‘broken’ because of uncontrolled immigration and crime, yet she was the Conservative Home Secretary when immigration surged to record levels and communities paid the price of Tory failure.”
She added: “This shows that Reform is not the solution.
“It is simply the same Conservatives, rebranded, the very people who left our country in a mess.”
Ms Braverman has been contacted for her reaction to calls for her to stand down.