Yahoo News Boris Johnson backs 'very active' Jonathan Gullis to keep seat at General Election
Boris Johnson has backed outspoken Tory Jonathan Gullis to win back his Stoke-on-Trent North seat at the upcoming General Election. The former Prime Minister has thrown his weight behind Mr Gullis in a video message.
His backing comes despite outspoken Mr Gullis previously resigning from his parliamentary role in 2022 after telling Mr Johnson that he could 'no longer serve as part of his Government'.
In the video shared on X/Twitter, Mr Johnson says: "Hi folks, Boris Johnson here urging you to support your Conservative candidate Jonathan Gullis for Stoke-on-Trent North on July 4. Jonathan, a guy who really delivers for his constituents whether it's 333 more police officers, the Tunstall Library and Baths, Kidsgrove Sports Centre - this is a very, very active local MP. I hope that you'll put Jonathan Gullis back in to serve the people of Stoke-on-Trent North on July 4."
READ: The 21 candidates in the running to become Stoke-on-Trent's newest MPs All three seats in the Potteries were won by the Conservatives in 2019
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Former teacher Mr Gullis - who was first elected in 2019 and currently Tory deputy chairman - welcomed Mr Johnson to Stoke-on-Trent for a Cabinet away day at Middleport Pottery in May 2022.
But just two months later, he quit as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 'with a heavy heart', saying the Conservative Party had been “more focused on dealing with our reputational damage rather than delivering for the people of this country”.
Responding to the Mr Johnson's video on X, Mr Gullis said: "Delighted to have @BorisJohnson backing me to be re-elected at the MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke. Not only did Boris deliver millions on investment into our community, more importantly he spent time in the community.
"Meeting staff and pupils at the Ofsted outstanding St Mary’s CE Primary School, on the shop floor at Churchill China, making history by bringing the entire Cabinet to Middleport Pottery, grabbing a coffee at June’s Kitchen, or making an oatcake at High Lane Oatcakes - Boris had Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke’s back.
"Now I hope you’ll kindly have mine, by kindly lending me your vote on the 4th July so I can continue to stand up and deliver for Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke."
The candidates standing in Stoke-on-Trent North
Karl Beresford - Reform UK
Jag Boyapati - Independent
Jonathan Gullis - Conservative
Josh Harris - Green
Lucy Hurds - Lib Dem
David Williams - Labour
