Forgiveness or deselection? Newmarket divided over Matt Hancock’s political future

One month after the health secretary quit, voters in his West Suffolk constituency are weighing up the odds of his survival

Newmarket is a racing town, the racing town, Dick Francis country, a place steeped in the language of odds, favourites and long shots. A month ago, the local MP, Matt Hancock, was a firm favourite. Then closed-circuit TV footage was leaked of him transgressing social-distancing rules in an intimate embrace with a senior aide, Gina Coladangelo. Almost overnight, his political career was put out to pasture.

After speedily leaving his wife, then resigning as health secretary, Hancock was also under pressure in his own constituency of West Suffolk, of which Newmarket is the main town. A hurried statement from the executive of the local Conservative Association accepted his “heartfelt apology” and proffered its appreciative support. His seat would be safe, so a cabinet return might be on the cards once the fuss had died down?

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/3kTWY1u