Tories pick building industry boss for by-election

The Conservatives have selected a senior executive from the building industry to contest the forthcoming Runcorn and Helsby by-election.

The seat became vacant after Mike Amesbury quit the House of Commons after he was convicted and given a suspended prison sentence for repeatedly punching a constituent in the street.

Amesbury has been sitting as an independent MP since he was suspended by Labour following the assault in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of 26 October.

Sean Houlston, of the National Federation of Builders, said he would "stand up for our area".

The by-election, the date of which has not yet been announced, will be Sir Keir Starmer's first as prime minister.

Amesbury won the newly created seat at last year's general election, securing a majority of more than 14,000.

Reform UK came second, ahead of the Tories.

Cheshire West and Chester Council's deputy leader Karen Shore has already been announced as Labour's candidate, while the Greens have put forward local councillor Chris Copeman, who came fourth in July's general election.

Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats have yet to announce their candidates.

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