Richard Tice accuses conservatives of 'dirty tricks' in trying to persuade Reform candidates to withdraw

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Reform Speaker Richard Tice accused the Conservatives of "dirty tricks" after one of his party's candidates withdrew his candidacy at the last minute and supported the former Minister Sir Gavin Williamson.

In the dramatic final 24 hours before nominations closed, feverish speculation swirled that up to six Conservative MPs and other candidates could defect to the Reform Party after Nigel Farage decided to run for Clacton and become party leader.

But instead no Conservatives changed and Tom Wellings, the Reform candidate for the new seat of Stone, Great Wryly and Penkridge in Staffordshire, resigned and issued a statement endorsing Sir Gavin.

All this means that the reformists would have presented 611 candidates, a little less than the 630 hoped for.

Richard Tice is in anger at the last minute defection (PA)

Mr. Wellings said he made his decision in the final hour before nominations closed "after careful consideration and analysis" of local polls.

He told local voters: "The Polls indicate that Labor is on course to win the seat in our constituency. This is a matter of deep concern to me and should be to anyone who supports Reform UK's policies and agenda.

“Given the current political landscape, my continued candidacy risks dividing the vote, thereby increasing the chances of a Labor MP being elected.

“Therefore, I have decided to support Gavin Williamson, who has considerable experience in government. I am confident that Gavin is well placed to effectively challenge a left-wing Labor government. »

Mr. An angry Tice, who as president is always responsible for the nominees, asked if Mr. Welling had been nominated. .