In a surprise turn of events, Tom Wellings withdrew his candidacy for Reform UK just moments before the deadline, leaving the party without a representative in the upcoming general election.
Unexpected Withdrawal Announcement
Tom Wellings announced his withdrawal with a heartfelt statement, citing concerns over recent polling data that suggested a potential Labour victory. “This decision was not taken lightly,” Wellings stated. “The latest polls indicate that Labour is close to winning the seat in our constituency. This is a matter of deep concern to me and should be to anyone who supports the policies and agenda of Reform UK.”
Strategic Move to Avoid Vote Splitting
Wellings elaborated that his decision was primarily driven by a desire to avoid splitting the vote, which could inadvertently lead to a Labour victory. “Given the current political landscape, my continued candidacy risks splitting the vote, thereby increasing the chances of a Labour MP being elected—an outcome I do not believe serves the best interests of our constituency.”
Endorsement of Conservative Candidate Gavin Williamson
In an effort to prevent a Labour win, Wellings has thrown his support behind Conservative candidate Gavin Williamson. “I have decided to support Conservative candidate Gavin Williamson, who has considerable experience in government,” Wellings said. “I am confident that Gavin is well-positioned to effectively challenge a left-wing Labour government.”
Wellings mentioned that he had discussed his concerns and priorities with Williamson, receiving assurances that Williamson would advocate for the community’s needs, including addressing urgent local issues like road maintenance and the management practices at local medical facilities.
Reacting to the Announcement
Commenters took to A Little Bit of Stone’s social media, website and inboxes to question what deals had been done, had Tom been bought off and many expressed dismay that their first choice of candidate had been taken away from them.
Was this a long-planned, calculated move—or a last-minute change of heart by the candidate? Earlier this afternoon, we asked questions to both Gavin Williamson and Reform UK to find out who knew what and, more importantly, when they knew. We will update the story with their responses.
Have your say in the comments below.
Tom’s Statement in Full
Dear all,
I understand that many of you were looking forward to having a Reform UK candidate in Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge. However, after careful consideration and extensive analysis of recent local polling data, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw my candidacy as the Reform UK representative for our constituency in the upcoming general election.
This decision was not taken lightly. However, the latest polls indicate that Labour is close to winning the seat in our constituency. This is a matter of deep concern to me and should be to anyone who supports the policies and agenda of Reform UK. A Labour MP in our constituency would in no way represent the concerns or interests held by Reform UK supporters.
Given the current political landscape, my continued candidacy risks splitting the vote, thereby increasing the chances of a Labour MP being elected—an outcome I do not believe serves the best interests of our constituency.
I care deeply about the future of Staffordshire. Therefore, I have decided to support Conservative candidate Gavin Williamson, who has considerable experience in government. I am confident that Gavin is well-positioned to effectively challenge a left-wing Labour government.
I have personally addressed my concerns and priorities with Gavin, and I am assured that he will advocate for our community’s needs, while also taking the necessary steps to address urgent issues such as fixing our roads and investigating the poor management practices at our local medical facilities.
My commitment to our community remains unwavering, and I believe this decision is essential to ensure our constituency is represented by someone capable of effectively opposing policies that may not serve us well.
I would encourage you to go out and vote for Gavin, who is the only candidate who can stop Labour in our constituency.
I hope that you will understand my reasoning, but I will respect those of you who do not and will continue to serve the community in whatever way I can.
Sincerely,
Tom Wellings
31 comments
Norman Cotterill
Sums up the level of morality of our so called politicians.
This young chap ‘playing god’ with people’s right to have their voice heard.
This will live long in many people’s memory and (I hope) he will regret it.
And do I believe his words of platitude?
Other contributors have already answered that……. the only question is quite what delicacy Williamson offered Hemmings.
What kind of shameless society have we become?
JB
Absolutely aweful behaviour from Tom. I would have voted for Reform , after reading their manifesto it was the party I wanted to vote for. Tom is obviously a closet Tory who doesn’t really believe in the Reform party whose policies are nothing like Conservatives. Election rigging is obviously what Tom thinks is fine to do. He should be ashamed of his behaviour, he is obviously a man with low morals and should not be trusted.
Annoyed person
How dare you think you can manipulate a vote to enable a Tory that has taken the p**s multiple times out of the public. I am voting labour out of pure anger at the clear manipulation Tom Wellings has tried to pull. They literally have no idea how normal people think. Muppets
Deborah Morgan
Disappointing!
Julia
To leave & not let another candidate stand is unforgivable. I will not be voting & I know of others in Stone not voting today, are as deeply dissaponted too. Electoral Fraud !!
Dan M
How is this not electoral fraud?
Sarah Irving
Allegations in Dudley of the Tories trying to bribe the Reform candidate to stand down, as well as the two down south reported in the national news: https://www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/p/bribe-allegations-in-battle-for-dudley?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=2048775&post_id=146241110&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=3gegt2&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Leanne Jones
Well, I was going to vote Reform, now I guess it’s Labour instead, helped my decision thanks.
Phil McCrackin
Honestly, this is poor. I wouldnt be voting for them anyway, but how anyone can support Gavin Williamson is beyond me. Tories have no place here.
Norman heeley
My thoughts of Wellings are unprintable but had Wellings stood I think reform would have had a good chance of winning. What these ‘Politicians’ don’t realise is the voting public have had enough of their promises etc etc it’s just like a record stuck in a groove. The same old rhetoric election after election and I accept nothing is going to change without a government that has the guts to make changes. Now like many other I’m unable to have a vote , and unbelievable my neighbours were going to vote reform too. That would have been 5 votes for Reform from just three houses. Thanks for nothing gutless Wellings.
Norman heeley
BS
Clear election interference. They’re fooling no one, especially the sob story by the “Manchurian Candidate”. Never gave anyone else a chance to stand by doing it at the last minute. Way to go Tom, you just disenfranchised 10,000 people’s votes, and your future in politics for one of the most pathetic and useless political creatures who obviously can’t stand on merit. What makes you think you get to decide who votes or not? Hope it was worth it….what did they promise you? Clear desperation from the dying embers of the Tory party, you’re all finished regardless.
Andy Dyble
I agree with Should have at least given someone else a chance
Mike Hock
That’s a shame, he’d have done quite well, he’d have my vote, probably cries himself to sleep, now. #facepalm.bmp
Jon
Leaves them to vote for one of the ‘Kippers, or the Tory boy Willamsom, Three times sacked from cabinet for: leaking Nat Defence secrets/lying about it, being ‘in-charge’ as he messed up the GCSE & A level exams/marking then finally for bullying behaviour following complaints.
Dee
He was obviously never a Refirm UK believer all the long…
Disgraceful behaviour…
How many more are going to pull this stunt?
Totally manipulated and corrupt…
Hazel Clemente
To leave and not let another Candidate stand in is Disgraceful. I wonder if he as been given a back hander. Well I will not give any other pary my vote. Time waster.
Gary
I thought the name was in the party Reform so back out i was going to vote for you
P
Disgusting and shameful
Dominic
People who were going to vote Reform are upset as the Conservatives, why did he think resigning and leaving no Reform candidate would encourage them to vote Conservative instead? I wouldn’t be surprised if a large number of votes are spoiled or move to other smaller candidates instead which would still split the vote as he supposedly fears. Incredibly disappointing.
Jonathan
I guess it frees up a lot of people who were going to vote Reform to vote Labour instead. Rather ironic.
Gavin Williamson’s no show in Stone hasn’t gone down well either.
The Conservatives aren’t managing this well are they? Seems like a microcosm of the chaos currently in central government…
Clair Frances Gordon
This is disgraceful you stand by your party and it shouldn’t be allowed. Pulling out at the last minute is dirty tricks. Well it wont work as I wont be voting conservative instead. This is undemocratic, Shameful. So they are trying to force us to vote conservative, in these circumstances they should allow someone else to come in. This is the same as a dictatorship not a democracy as they are taking away our choice. Its appalling behaviour.
Thomas Hughes
All voters who were preparing to vote for Wellings should bear this defection in mind and see that he does not get a place on any future council.He is not to be trusted.
Dave Cork
Welll Tom
What a diapoinment, that’s 2 votes lost to you, it will have to be independent now, as I can’t vote for the other clowns
David shillingford
Reform are going to give tories a shock.
Tom wellings deserves no future position in reform, scumbag.
Vikki
I wanted the chance to vote reform and was looking forward to doing so. Unfortunately Tom Wellings took the ability to do this away from me without any warning when we could of had someone stand who would of not just stepped aside. Looks like this will be the first time ever I spoil my ballot.
Brian nield
Absolutely disgusting to do what he has done the tories have held this seat for years and done jack to advocate a tory vote I don’t think so nor liebour
Strange Old World
Agreed with both.
But UKIP must have been in on this from EARLIER, putting in a candidate (from 300 miles away) at the very last minute to take advantage of the hole made by Wellings’ defection, which had been announced only at the last minute. Otherwise, there’s no way UKIP, or anyone else, could have done it in the time available. This was plotted!
While claiming to be “uniting the right”, UKIP or its Alliance partner have put up spoiler candidates up against Reform in many seats, splitting votes to punish Reform for sensibly ignoring the contaminated UKIP.
INCLUDING IN CLACTON, where UKIP’s selfish insertion of a candidate, endangering a likely victory by Nigel, shows its true colours.
My advice to right-thinking people – like me, spoil your ballot, and punish Wellings when he pops up in local elections.
David shillingford
Tom withdrew last minute, but planned this move weeks back.
I’ll give him a dig when I see him about.
Andrew Whitehouse
Couldn’t agree more – disappointing behaviour, but clearly got GW fingerprints all of this action
Paul Markham
Is Gavin’s previous constituency pothole free then?
Mike Kiely
Tom Wellings = snake oil salesman