Boris Johnson's seven month abstention from alcohol may end tonight - whatever the result - but the Conservative Party's campaigning operation will continue to motor. Two by-elections are likely to test the party machine in the coming weeks: one is a certain, in Crewe, and the second is likely, in Henley.
The Times reports that "Boris Johnson will remain an Oxfordshire MP for up to a year if he becomes Mayor of London in the closest race since the post was created in 2000". That is not our understanding. We are expecting the Henley by-election to happen very quickly should Boris win. CCHQ do not want to give the LibDem candidate lots of time to mount a serious challenge.
Meanwhile, up in Crewe and Nantwich, the local Conservative Association Chairman, Donald Potter, has today written to his Labour oppositew number pledging a pause in active campaigning "during Gwyneth Dunwoody’s funeral on Thursday 8 May, and for an appropriate period of time either side."
Tory candidate Edward Timpson issued this statement:
“Gwyneth Dunwoody was a much-loved and well respected Member of Parliament. We fully respect her family’s decision to have a swift by-election campaign. All the parties will want to make the most of the time between now and 22 May, as there won’t be long for voters to make up their mind about who Crewe & Nantwich’s next MP should be. However, as it’s unusual for a by-election campaign to be in full swing during the funeral of the previous MP, we felt it would be respectful to pause campaigning next Thursday afternoon and for an appropriate time either side of the service. My Association Chairman has written to the local Labour Chairman today to let him know our intentions.”
The Western Mail has some background on Tamzin Dunwoody - the late MP's daughter - and the likely Labour candidate for Crewe.
9.30am: In Parliament the two Winterton MPs challenge the "discourtesy and insensitivity" of moving by-election writ before Gwyneth Dunwoody's funeral
