Aaron Bell will not be standing for Re-election as Newcastle’s MP

Conservative Aaron Bell announced on Friday that he will not be standing for re-election as Newcastle-under-Lyme’s MP – just a week before the deadline for nominations. Mr Bell posted an open letter on social media saying that he had made the decision ‘with a very heavy heart’ due to ‘personal and family reasons’, and that being an MP had taken a ‘considerable toll’ on him.

Mr Bell’s decision to not stand leaves the Conservatives with just a week to find a new candidate for Newcastle ahead of the July 4 general election, with the deadline for nominations at 4pm this coming Friday.