DAME Caroline Spelman has been re-selected as Conservative MP for Meriden and has dismissed rumours she was facing a motion of no confidence as ‘fake news’.
She will address members at the annual general meeting of the Meriden Conservative Association on Friday (March 8), after retaining her post last Friday (March 1).
The news came amid accusations that her re-selection was being rushed through amid pressure from a Brexit campaign group for her to face a ‘deselection’ vote.
The group played on rumours she has put herself at odds with her own grassroots members after her efforts to prevent a no-deal were interpreted as an attempt to block or delay Brexit.
The Leave.EU campaign group claimed this vote of no confidence – or ‘deselection’ – was to take place at the AGM.
Her Meriden constituents voted by 58 per cent to Leave in 2016. Dame Caroline voted to remain.
Tory representatives quickly quashed these rumours.
After we questioned her about this, she confirmed: “I was re-selected last Friday.”
We asked about the Leave.EU Tweet, to which she responded: “I am assuming you are familiar with the concept of fake news.”
Conservative Party Midlands political press officer Mark Lerigo confirmed Dame Caroline had been reselected last Friday by the party executive in a private ballot.
Conservative members can effectively deselect a member if the party executive votes against reselection in the secret ballot.
The decision could then go to a local member postal ballot or the MP can be put up against other candidates who want to contest them for the seat.
Dame Caroline and Labour MP for Erdington Jack Dromey joined forces to lead a cross-party backed campaign to prevent what they regard as a disastrous no-deal scenario for the country and its manufacturing sector.
It included submitting an amendment to prevent a no-deal at the crucial vote on the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU in January.
It was voted through 318 votes to 310.
It was mainly Labour MPs and Tory MPs who backed remaining in the EU who supported the amendment, which provoked anger from more ardent Leavers.
Dame Caroline previously sought to ‘clarify’ her position after accusations she was not fully committed to leaving the EU.
She also clarified her amendment did not advocate delaying Brexit beyond March 29, the date set for the UK’s departure from the EU.
