Tristram Hunt resigns as MP, triggers by-election in Stoke-on-Trent

Labour’s Tristram Hunt has resigned as a MP in order to become the director of the Victoria & Albert Museum, triggering a by-election in a closely held seat.

The former shadow education secretary maintained that he has no “desire to rock the boat” now, as the by-election for Stoke-on-Trent Central adds to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s woes, as he has recently fallen out with his shadow defence secretary, and the seat could be nabbed by Ukip.

He said in his resignation letter: “I am sorry to put the party and the people of Stoke-on-Trent through a byelection. I have no desire to rock the boat now and anyone who interprets my decision to leave in that way is just plain wrong.”

Hunt has been a critic of Corbyn since he was elected leader for the first time, as said that he has been frustrated to Labour’s response to “the social, cultural and economic forces which have rocked mainstream social democratic and socialist parties” across the world.

Stoke-on-Trent Central is proposed to be abolished in the shake-up of constituency boundaries.

Hunt was re-elected to the seat in 2015 with 39.3% of the vote and a slim majority of 5,179, or 16.7%, with Ukip in close second place with 22.7% of the vote.

Paul Nuttall, who was recently elected leader of Ukip, said the party would target seats in Labour's’ supposed heartlands. In the EU referendum Stoke-on-Trent voted Leave by 69.4% to 30.6% for Remain.

However, bookmaker Ladbrokes slashed the odds on a resurgent Liberal Democrats. Odds fell for the Lib Dems from 50/1 to 7/1, following a recent council by-election victory in Sunderland.

Labour remains the favourite according to Ladbrokes with 8/13 to hold the seat, Ukip the second favourites at 5/2, leaving the Tories at 9/1

Ladbrokes’ Alex Donohue said: "All of a sudden there's a lot of confidence in the Lib Dems and within minutes of offering odds in Stoke there's been a yellow stampede to support another shock victory over Labour. Ukip appear to be the main threat to the incumbent and we'll be poised to cut their odds if Paul Nuttall puts himself forward in this pro-Leave constituency."

This is the second resignation in recent months for Labour as the party is also battling to retain the seat in Copeland vacated by Jamie Reed. Copeland also voted to Leave by 62% to 38%.