Scott Benton: Lobbying scandal MP loses suspension appeal
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Scott Benton has recently become a Member of Parliament who is no longer affiliated with any political party.
Paul Burnell and the PA Media contributed to this blog post. The UK economy has decreased by 3.0% in Q1 2021 compared to the previous quarter, a smaller decrease than initially predicted by economists. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that the easing of COVID-19 restrictions had boosted growth in March, with GDP increasing by 2.1% that month alone. The easing of restrictions allowed for stronger growth in the construction sector, with output increasing by 5.8% in March. Service sectors also saw growth, with output increasing by 1.9%. However, the ONS found that the UK economy is still 8.7% smaller than it was before the pandemic. The UK economy experienced a smaller than expected decrease of 3.0% in Q1 2021, according to the ONS. March saw a boost in growth due to the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in a 2.1% increase in GDP. Construction output grew by 5.8%, while service output grew by 1.9%. Nevertheless, the economy remains 8.7% smaller than its pre-pandemic size.
Rishi Sunak may have to deal with yet another challenging by-election as independent officials have confirmed the 35-day ban on MP Scott Benton.
The MP representing Blackpool South, who was implicated in a lobbying controversy, has been unsuccessful in his effort to challenge the decision.
Members of Parliament are set to cast their votes on the activation of a recall petition, which has the potential to result in a fresh election.
Mr Benton was discovered violating the regulations of the House of Commons by proposing to advocate for gambling investors and submit questions to the parliament on their behalf.
In 2019, he won the election as a Conservative and got a majority of 3,690. However, he is now serving as an independent candidate.
Mr Benton expressed profound frustration with the verdict and asserted that there was an absence of moral principles that prevailed throughout the proceedings, which were continuously riddled with confidential information being leaked.
The MP objected to both the conclusion and the suspension, however, a report from an unbiased group confirmed the Standards Committee's initial ruling and determined that the process was conducted correctly with no issues.
The board criticized Mr. Benton's points as "inaccurate or mistaken," ruling that the punishment was "fair and proportional."
This discovery implies that Members of Parliament will have a vote on whether to carry out the suggested suspension. If they agree, this will activate a petition for recall and could lead to a by-election in Mr. Benton's constituency.
Picture credit, Times journal
The Times newspaper conducted an investigation on Mr. Benton.
It brings up the possibility of another difficult election for Mr. Sunak, following the defeats in Wellingborough and Kingswood the previous week.
People who wish to remove Mr. Benton from his position need to register their support within a period of six weeks. It is mandatory to reach a threshold of 10% to initiate a by-election.
Labour is calling for Mr Benton to step down from his role as an MP altogether.
According to Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow paymaster general, Scott Benton should act in a fair manner and step down from his position. This would prevent the residents of Blackpool South from having to deal with a drawn-out recall petition, which would take away their right to adequate representation.
Once again, a by-election has been triggered due to a scandal caused by the Tories. The people of Britain deserve a more stable political climate instead of being subjected to this constant cycle of chaos and disarray from the Conservative party.
A new election in Blackpool South would make it the fourth one this year. If the government were to lose, it would be the 11th seat they have lost since the current Parliament began in 2019. It's unlikely that there will be any polling until either late April or early May.
Mr. Benton said that the inquiry conducted by the Commons Standards Commissioner was "significantly flawed" and accused the commissioner of "going too far" and "formulating conclusions that lacked sufficient evidence".
He expressed his disappointment with the decision made by the appeal panel to support the Standards Committee's unfair conclusions about him in a recent statement.
At every stage, the whole process has been susceptible to frequent disclosures, with reporters having awareness of the specifics throughout.
The absence of honesty during the entire procedure has created an unavoidable impression of favoritism.
He mentioned that he had been carrying out his responsibilities towards his voters throughout the entire procedure.
He stated that his actions in Blackpool and Westminster, where he is one of the most active participants in Parliament, are proof of his capabilities.
"Ever since I was chosen as an elected official in 2019, I have actively participated in securing an excess of £400 million in supplementary funding from the government for various undertakings in Blackpool - a figure that ranks among the most significant amounts received across the nation."
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations' top executive, Alistair McCapra, expressed approval of the panel's ruling. He remarked that the video footage captured by the Times was explicit and condemning in its portrayal of Mr. Benton's actions.
He stated that our country's lobbying culture requires a drastic transformation, along with well-defined and functional regulations to ensure this transformation.
We will keep witnessing improper, insincere, and deceitful efforts to affect policy until a certain point. There is solid proof that these actions harm the public's faith in politics.
Review - Ellis Palmer, political correspondent, BBC Lancashire
Blackpool South had been held by the Conservative party for over 50 years from 1945 to 1997. However, in the period between 1997 and 2019, the seat was won by the Labour party and became a stronghold for them.
Scott Benton has won the seat in the seaside area, previously held by Labour MP Gordon Marsden for a long period of time. However, the seat may now be contested once more, as the majority margin is 3,690.
After the recent by-election outcomes, where the Labour Party faced unfavorable situations, they might be optimistic about their potential chance if there is another by-election here.
The Labour Party is aiming to regain seats like the aforementioned in order to secure power during the upcoming general election. They plan to launch a robust campaign, with their candidate Chris Webb prepared to take charge.
The people living in this area have been impacted by the continuous downfall of coastal cities. In 2019, a lot of them were excited about Boris Johnson's plan to level up the playing field for everyone and believed that his administration could assist in changing the situation.
There is a possibility that Rishi Sunak might encounter a challenging election in a traditional Conservative-voting constituency - and it could prove to be quite difficult.
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