The Conservatives will not contest Batley and Spen

It is being reported that the Conservatives will not context the Batley and Spen by-election which will be called as a result of the assassination of Jo Cox.

Here is the Conservative Party's statement:
"Following the tragic killing of Labour MP Jo Cox, the Conservative Party has decided not to contest the forthcoming by-election as a mark of respect to a much-loved and respected politician.”
 
I first saw this response being suggested by former party chairman Grant Shapps last night and immediately indicated my support.

Obviously, in a democracy nobody who can obtain the necessary nominating signatures should be barred from standing. But if, when an MP who was elected as a representative of a political party is murdered, the main rivals to that party do not context the subsequent by-election, it will set a precedent for a principle that murdering an MP should not change the political composition of parliament. The final decision if there is a contest will, of course, be up to the voters as it should be.

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