Former Tory minister Danny Kruger has hit an obstacle after defecting to Reform UK as hundreds have backed a call for an early by-election.
The East Wiltshire MP revealed his defection at a press conference alongside Nigel Farage yesterday, declaring the Conservative Party was "over".
The Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions said Kemi Badenoch's party was "over as a national party, over as the principal opposition to the left".
He added: "I am not despondent because conservatism is not over. It has never been needed more.
"And actually, it's never been more vibrant. Because the failure of the Conservative Party has created space for an alternative."
In the wake of his defection, a petition has been set up by a member of his constituency calling for a by-election.
More than 1,400 people have so far signed their names to the petition, at the time of writing.
Started by resident Craig Pixon, the petition on change.org reads: "As a constituent deeply concerned about the sanctity of our democratic processes, I am calling on Danny Kruger to step down as an MP following his recent defection to the Reform Party.
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Former Tory Danny Kruger's defection to Reform UK was announced yesterday
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"His change of allegiance raises essential questions about the validity of his current mandate to represent the people of East Wiltshire under his new party banner.
"When we cast our votes in the last election, we voted for a representative who was aligned with the values and manifesto of the Conservative Party.
"Danny Kruger's defection to the Reform Party signifies a fundamental shift in his political stance and obligations, which were not part of what the electorate in East Wiltshire endorsed.
"Such a significant change in political direction necessitates a re-examination of his mandate through a by-election, allowing the constituents to either affirm or reject his continued representation."
Danny Kruger is facing calls for a by-election from his constituents
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Mr Pixon appealed to other constituents to support the call for a by-election.
"Sign this petition to demand that Danny Kruger either reaffirms his mandate with the support of East Wiltshire's electorate or steps down from his position to allow for a fair and just electoral process," he added.
Residents in Marlborough, Wiltshire, delivered their verdict on Mr Kruger's defection to GB News yesterday, with many saying they wanted a by-election to be held because they "didn't vote for Reform".
One Marlborough local commented: "This is a bad state of affairs. We should have a by-election because I didn't vote for him to not be in the Conservative Party."
Marlborough locals shared their reaction to the defection with GB News yesterday
| GB NEWSAnother resident added: "I think that there should be a by-election. I didn't vote for Reform."
One person, however, said his defection was "fantastic news", adding: "This is what he wants to do and he is a man of the people.
"He knows what he should be doing to help us all. He is very active in the community, with the traffic situation and he has our best interest at heart."
When quizzed over whether a by-election should take place following his defection, Mr Kruger told the People's Channel: "Reform are well ahead in the polls currently in East Wiltshire, so I wouldn't advise the Conservatives to suggest that a by-election would help them.
"The fact is that Nigel Farage has made it clear he doesn't expect or want by-elections.
"There have been a series of defections to his party in the Scottish and Welsh Assemblies, which have not been caused by elections, and here in the UK Parliament.
"He's expecting more as well, and what he doesn't want to inflict on the public is a whole series of by-elections."