Tories will not contest Batley and Spen by-election

The Conservatives will not contest the Batley and Spen by-election in a “mark of respect” to Jo Cox after her murder yesterday afternoon.

A Downing Street spokesperson said “Following the tragic killing of Labour MP Jo Cox, the Conservative party has decided not to contest the forthcoming by-election as a mark of respect to a much-loved and respected politician.”

Labour will likely have a unhindered run at the seat as the Conservatives were the closest contenders in 2015. Their candidate, Imtiaz Ameen, won 31 per cent of the vote compared with Cox’s 43 per cent.

The Liberal Democrats and UKIP have also both confirmed they will not contest the seat.

The date of the by-election has not yet been decided. It is up to Labour to move the writ in Parliament, which calls the date of the vote.