Skidmore Resignation Tees Up Another By-Election

Conservative MP Chris Skidmore has resigned the whip over opposition to Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's pivot on net zero policy and new legislation to allow increased production of North Sea oil and gas. The move tees up a by-election in his Gloucestershire seat ahead of a likely half-two general election.

• Skidmore said in a statement on X: "...I can no longer condone nor continue to support a govenment committee to a course of action I know is wrong... I am therefore resigning my party whip and instead intend to be free from any party-political allegiance."
• Peter Walker at the Guardian notes: "This is another risk with any decision to shunt an election into autumn: as well as most likely grim local elections for Sunak in May, he could lose (another) string of previously safe seats in by-elections. Too much of that, and his MPs will get mutinous."