@Tomorrow'sMPs

🟠 HAMPSTEAD & HIGHGATE: the Lib Dems have begun the selection - nominations closed on Friday - in the seat where Tulip Siddiq is in big trouble over her links to the deposed Bangladesh government led by her aunt Sheikh Hasina. Siddiq resigned as a Treasury minister in January.

🟠 HAMPSTEAD & HIGHGATE: if there's a by-election, them the Lib Dems would have a strong chance, though the Greens narrowly pushed them into fourth place in 2024. Please DM me if you know of possible Lib Dem contenders.

Yes, it seems Sarah Pochin's husband Jonathan was part of the failed family construction firm.

Is Sarah Pochin related to the former Cheshire-based Pochin construction group?

Reform have now confirmed Pochin in their nominee.

🟣 RUNCORN & HELSBY: one name suggested to me as possible Reform candidate is Sarah Pochin, 55, former Conservative councillor and mayor (2021-22) on Cheshire East council, and businesswoman. During her time as cllr she was expelled from both Conservative & Independent groups

🟠 RUNCORN & HELSBY: contrary to what I said, Lib Dems have picked Paul Duffy as their by-elec candidate. He's a scientific consultant, & a parish cllr. He has fought & lost several recent elections in Cheshire, including PPC (2024), & Congleton parliamentary seat, 2019 & 2024.

🟣 RUNCORN & HELSBY: Reform do seem to be very slow announcing a candidate for this by-election. I heard a rumour last night that they've already picked a female barrister. Any truth in this, or clues as to who that might be? Please DM me.

🔵 RUNCORN & HELSBY: I hear Sean Houlston has been picked as Conservative candidate for the by-election.

🟣 RUNCORN & HELSBY: Adam Wordsworth may be interested in standing for Reform. He fought Weaver Vale for Tories in 2019, but joined Reform in 2023 after disqualified from Chester Sth & Eddisbury Tory selection. He was 10 years a policeman, & lives in Frodsham in the R&H seat.

RUNCORN & HELSBY: An Ashcroft poll in the by-election seat gives Reform a 5% lead over Labour (40-35%), or a 9% lead for voters certain to vote. But the poll only spoke to 702 voters & constituency polls are often unreliable; but it could set the agenda. https://t.co/l0qvtDbbMK

🟣 RUNCORN & HELSBY: Jason Moorcroft, 53, is now working as a driving instructor. Reform have been campaigning locally, yet surprisingly don't have a campaign office is the constituency yet.

🟠 RUNCORN & HELSBY: I'm told Liberal Democrat candidate is likely to be Tom Bartleet, c.55, who stood in South Suffolk in 2024. He ran his own insurance brokers, Erskine Murray, 2012-24; previously with Willis Group insurance. Educ: Haileybury; Manchester Univ (economics).

🟣 RUNCORN & HELSBY: Reform have been surprisingly slow to pick a candidate for a by-election they're tipped to win. Their 2024 nominee, Jason Moorcroft, who has a "senior position" with a finance house, tells me he hopes to stand. Please DM me if you know of other contenders.

🔴RUNCORN & HELSBY: what can people tell me about the new Labour candidate Karen Shore? Her official biography seems to lack much detail. Please DM me if you can tell me more about her.

🔴 RUNCORN & HELSBY: Karen Shore picked as Labour by-election candidate: https://t.co/5QXGBpMz58

🔴RUNCORN & HELSBY: I hear the 2 contenders for tonight's selection meeting for Labour by-election candidate are: - Karen Shore, retired teacher who is dep leader of Cheshire West & Chester Council; - Akhtar Zaman, dep leader of Bolton Council, worked 25 yrs as EDI specialist.

🔴 RUNCORN & HELSBY: Labour is interviewing long-listed contenders today to decide a shortlist to be their by-election candidate. The selection meeting & decision will be tomorrow. Please DM me if you know who is still in contention.

🔴 RUNCORN & HELSBY: I hear that Andrea Wall did not apply. Also, I'm told that accountant Sam Corcoran, former leader of Cheshire East Council, is a likely contender for Labour nomination.