Sally-Ann Hart, the Conservative MP for Hastings and Rye who won the seat in 2019, has said she is surprised not to be selected as the Conservative candidate in the next general election.
In a secret ballot last Friday, the selection council of the local Conservative Association voted against her automatic re-selection as MP.
It is normally routine for the selection council to re-select an incumbent MP to fight the next election, barring major disagreements, material boundary changes or scandal. What is unusual about this situation is that Ms Hart appears as surprised as anyone about the result
“I was completely blindsided by the outcome of Friday’s selection council”, the MP told Rye News.
“I have not been advised of any reasons for this result if indeed there are any. I have always busted a gut for the people and businesses of Hastings and Rye and will continue to do so until the next election.”
What is surprising is that nobody approached the MP with any concerns at any time before the vote. It is believed about half the committee voted against her selection.
Cllr John Rankin, Hastings borough councillor and chairman of Hastings and Rye Conservative Association has been approached by Rye News and at the time of going to press, has failed to respond to questions or to make any statement to the press regarding the ballot and decision to de-select Ms Hart as the local MP.
Rumours as long ago as November told of the association chairman discussing the de-selection of Ms Hart, while a source close to the association suggested this week, that members were unhappy with Ms Hart spending too much time away from constituents and her lack of in-depth focus on local issues.
Other comments suggest the committee were disgruntled with her support for Rishi Sunak instead of Liz Truss in the latest leadership contest.
At the time of going to press, however, Rye News hears the latest whispers from the corridors of power are the deselection has been ruled invalid and there will be a ballot of all members. While Ms Hart has the right to go to the wider membership in Hastings and Rye and ask them to overrule the committee decision, it seems others are already insisting this has to be the case.
When suggested she was now a shoo-in as the next MP for Hastings and Rye, Helena Dollimore, the Labour parliamentary candidate was quick to affirm: “I am sure people across Hastings and Rye are tired of hearing about Conservative infighting locally and nationally – it’s just one scandal after another. If only they spent less time squabbling and more time fixing the problems they’ve caused. Whoever the Conservative candidate is come the next election, the people of Hastings and Rye will hold the Conservatives to account based on the record of failure over the last 13 years.”
Ms Hart has stated she has no plans to stand down as an MP before the next general election.
Ms Hart’s latest column for Rye News is available here.
Image Credits: Chris Lawson .
Well, if one will relax rules on dumping of effluent.
I agree with the the decision NOT to automatically re-select Sally-Ann Hart. I have made several failed attempts to get Sally-Ann Hart to come and speak with the local fishing community here at Rye, to help her understand the problems the small fishing fleet are dealing with so they can be fairly represented at parliament. Some readers may have already noticed the ‘shrinking’ fishing fleet at Simmons Quay.
Clearly always out of her depth as an MP. Mind you if the local conservative association thought Liz Truss was worth supporting – she’s better off out of it …
If you are worried that MPs may be suffering in the cost of living crisis, don’t be. They have another pay rise coming in April. It is a pity our local MP has not fought harder for local people, particularly those in need. Perhaps her local association have recognised, finally, that might be an issue for voters.
For her to be de-selected it is surely no surprise that ‘nearly half’ of the unnamed and faceless committee voted to throw the MP out! The majority of those voting would have to! Surely? Still, the opacity of who these local men and women in grey suits are, their silence before delivering the coup de grace, and refusal to comment afterwards is hardly in the spirit of Sunak’s drive to ‘integrity, professionalism and accountability’ in government. However, the sudden and deadly despatch of Ms Hart does bear all the marks of a professional hit. And the silence is somewhat akin to the ‘Omerta’ of the Sicilian mafia.
Expect the Conservative committee will co-opt the local Reform UK candidate – they will if it’s Conservative policies they aspire to
Hmm it seems that most of the above comment have been written by so called ‘experts’ on the political scene and do we all know what the definition of an expert is??? I wonder???
Never seen her in Hastings , amber rudd was always there , bring her back
i think Sally-Ann needs accept what the committee have voted after all if she gets the members votes how can she work with a committee who don’t want her? I withdrew my support when she put her knife with all the others into the PM’s back – that says something about a person…. I like to see loyalty. And then she supports Sunak who was appointed basically by the 1922 committee who would not allow members to vote…. pretty undemocratic really. The next election will be interesting to say the least.
I have only written once to Sally Ann Hart and did get a response. I have also seen her out and about in the community which I believe is very important. What concerns me more is that if the members of the committee had concerns they should have addressed them personally to her rather than going behind her back! I must say who would wish to be on the town council, in local government or politics these days – it must be a thankless task! Everyone in society is always keen to criticise!
So Viv, the classic definition of an “Expert” is “Someone who comes from another place, gives you a slide show and leaves”. Usually, you are left knowing no more after their departure than you did before they arrived.
I can confirm that this is true as I’ve sat through thousands of such presentations. In the Delivering Nonsense Premier League the title consistently goes to Management Consultants! Pip Pip!!
Great shame! Brilliant MP – helped me with my mother’s benefits! Very attentive and kind person.