A MOTION of no confidence in Rugby’s MP Mark Pawsey has not been accepted by the Conservative Party.
The motion, tabled by Rugby Conservative Association member Alan Robinson and seconded by Elizabeth Bull, accused Mr Pawsey of ‘betraying’ his constituents over Brexit.
The Telegraph reported last week that Mr Pawsey and two other Conservative MPs would face votes of no confidence.
But Conservative press advisor for the Midlands Mark Lerigo told The Observer: “Motions of no-confidence are not recognised in the Constitution in relation to the re-adoption of an MP.
“There is a specific process set out in the Conservative Party Constitution for the re-adoption of an MP – and any Association who wished to do so would have to follow that process.”
He added that the only body which could de-select Mr Pawsey as a candidate is the RCA Executive Council which adopted him, comprising representatives from the wards that make up the Rugby and Bulkington constituency.
Mr Pawsey told The Observer: “I am looking forward to Rugby Conservative Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) later this month and contrary to recent reports in the press there will not be a vote of no confidence on the agenda.
“I was pleased to be unanimously readopted last year as Rugby’s Conservative candidate for the next General Election and look forward to once again putting forward my Party’s case to the people of Rugby and Bulkington when the election is called.”
In his motion of no confidence, Brexit supporter Mr Robinson said: “Mark Pawsey has acted in direct conflict with the (Conservative Party) manifesto. He secured my vote in the 2017 General Election on a false prospectus.
“Mr Pawsey’s Brexit voting history and his inclination towards business is short-sighted and a betrayal.
“It is manifestly in breach of the manifesto, ignores the referendum result, and fails to see the benefits in the UK’s long-awaited independence.
“I gave Mark Pawsey my vote, as I expected Brexit to be delivered in accordance with the referendum result as adopted by the manifesto.”
Mr Pawsey, who voted to remain in the EU at the 2016 referendum, sided with other remain-supporting MPs from both sides of the House of Commons in voting for a defeated amendment which would have ensured reciprocal tax arrangements with the EU, enabling customs facilitation.
He also voted for the Government’s Withdrawal Agreement, and against the Government in support of an amendment to rule out a no-deal Brexit.
The Conservative Party’s 2017 General Election manifesto stated that “no deal is better than a bad deal”, and that the UK would “no longer be members of the single market or customs union”.
