John Connolly John Connolly

The Brecon by-election could be the first real test for Boris Johnson

The incoming prime minister will have a lot on his plate when he finally strolls into Number 10 in July – with a looming Brexit deadline on the horizon and only a threadbare majority in the Commons to deliver a deal or no-deal Brexit. But he will have even less time to relax than first thought, now that a by-election has been triggered in Brecon and Radnoshire.

The Welsh Tory MP representing the area, Chris Davies, has been ousted today from his seat after almost 20 per cent of his constituents signed a recall petition to remove him (only 10 per cent of voters needed to sign the petition for him to be ousted). The petition was called after the MP was found guilty in March 2019 of submitting a false expense claim.

The timing of the election, which is expected to take place shortly after the next prime minister comes to power, is likely to be a major headache for Boris Johnson if he wins the Tory leadership contest.

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