Northampton North: Conservative candidate quits, then he doesn’t

It’s not that unusual for a would-be Parliamentary candidate to be selected for a seat and then, after a period of time, to quit – perhaps because of a change in their personal circumstances, because they found being a candidate wasn’t really for them or because of an internal dispute.

However, the case of Michael Ellis – Conservative candidate for Northampton North – is a little different from the norm as, after three months consideration by Conservative chiefs, his resignation as his party’s candidate has been undone.

As the local paper, the Northampton Chronicle, puts it:

Barrister Michael Ellis, who had said he would quit the General Election trail, has now confirmed he will stay at the prospective Tory candidate for Northampton North …

He offered his resignation in February, citing personal reasons, the need to travel and time pressures of his career.

His resignation has been considered for the past three months at Conservative Central Office, which yesterday announced he would remain as its prospective candidate.

Trivia fact: one of Michael Ellis’s clients has been Boy George.