General Election effectively called for the 12th of December – Wrexham will get first new MP since 2001

After recent speculation, a General Election has effectively been called for the 12th of December.

For the first time since June 2001 Wrexham will have a new Member of Parliament, as incumbent Ian Lucas has already announced he will not be running.

Tonight MP’s voted for the election date (rejecting the 9th) with the Lords set to rubber stamp* the Bill tomorrow, and the Bill likely to get Royal Assent by the end of the week.

As always Wrexham Council are facilitating the exercise in democracy locally, with the Returning Officer being Chief Executive Ian Bancroft. Today a the council kicked off that role for the General Election saying, “It is important that people have the opportunity to take part in the next election so please make sure you’re registered to vote.

You can register to vote or check your registration here: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

For Wrexham we have seen the following candidates declare, or be listed by a party as their candidate. This is not the final or official list, as the deadline for nominations is 19 days before polling day and no such list exists yet:

Plaid Cymru – Carrie Harper
Brexit Party – Nathan Gill
Conservatives – Sarah Atherton
Green Party – Duncan Rees

Labour are yet to select a candidate from a four strong shortlist. Results from that active internal run off are expected on the 8th, however with the election now real, that could be sooner.

In Clwyd South we have seen the following candidates declare, or be listed by a party as their candidate. This is not the final or official list, as the deadline for nominations is 19 days before polling day and no such list exists yet:

Conservatives – Simon Baynes
Liberal Democrats – Chris Twells
Plaid Cymru – Chris Allen
Labour – Susan Elan Jones

Tonight there is indications that the already known lists could change before polling day:

Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts tells @skynews there are discussions underway at the moment about “remain rebel alliance” deals in the upcoming election.

This could see candidates stand aside to try and get remain / 2nd ref MPs elected

— Sam Coates Sky (@SamCoatesSky) October 29, 2019

Results will be known early in the morning of Friday 13th.

Top pic: A democratic duck voting in Wrexham during the elections in 2012.

You can register to vote or check your registration here: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

* The Lords however could change things, but convention says it will not.