Former MP Jonathan Gullis becomes town councillor

Former Stoke-on-Trent MP Jonathan Gullis has become a town councillor in Kidsgrove. Mr Gullis, who served as Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent North between 2019 and 2014, was co-opted to the vacant Kidsgrove & Ravenscliffe seat on Kidsgrove Town Council.

There had been a casual vacancy for the seat since the resignation of former councillor Christine Duffy in October. Under council rules, if 10 electors do not request that a by-election be held, casual vacancies can be filled by co-option, with a vote of existing councillors.

Mr Gullis said: “I’m grateful to once again have a small role serving the amazing people of Kidsgrove Parish. It’s a privilege to stand up for the community which I’m proud to call my home.

“I look forward to working with my fellow town councillors to get the remaining Town Deal projects delivered, campaign for urgent road resurfacing and pothole repairs, and seek investment into our parks so families can enjoy them more.”

Mr Gullis, a former teacher, became the first Conservative MP for the Stoke-on-Trent North seat as the so-called red wall collapsed in 2019. During his time in Parliament he served as an education minister and deputy party chair, and gained a reputation as an outspoken supporter of Brexit and levelling up.

Mr Gullis lost his seat to Labour’s David Williams in last year’s general election, as the Tory vote collapsed and Keir Starmer’s party surged back into power.