Labour's Tristram Hunt quitting as MP to head V&A Museum

[RogueTrooper]

9. Looks like the Tories are throwing in the anvil in Stoke

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tories-write-off-stoke-by-election-as-they-fear-awkward-defeat-party-sources-say_uk_588108f5e4b0b8867de7372b

The Tory party is set to give UKIP a clear run in the Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election in a bid to maximise Labour’s chances of defeat in its heartlands, The Huffington Post has learned.

Party sources say that they are instead pouring resources into the Copeland by-election in Cumbria, which will be held on the same day next month.

Jeremy Corbyn is facing a strong challenge in both seats, which have been rock-solid Labour for decades, after MPs critical of his leadership stepped down for new jobs outside politics.

But Conservative MPs and insiders say that it is “inconceivable” they will take the Stoke seat, where UKIP’s leader Paul Nuttall is the candidate and where his party came second in 2015.

They obviously think it is worth giving UKIP a toe-hold in the House to humiliate Corbyn. I wonder if they will try to convince Carswell to rejoin to take the sting out of Nuttal's win?