The Conservative MP shares her disappointment over not being selected to contest Stafford seat again, along with personal abuse linked to her maternity leave.

Theo Clarke, a Conservative Member of Parliament, has expressed her profound disappointment after being rejected as the party’s candidate for the newly redrawn Stafford constituency. In a message posted on Twitter following Friday’s selection meeting by the Stafford Conservative Association, Clarke stated that while the committee’s decision was final, she was upset by the personal abuse she had faced since announcing her pregnancy.

Clarke, who recently returned from maternity leave, revealed that some individuals had been critical of her six-month absence from Parliament. She shared the emotional toll of the situation, highlighting how the abuse had made her feel undervalued, despite her record of securing significant investments for the Stafford constituency.

“My record of bringing millions in investment to Stafford, including crucial funding for mental health services and infrastructure, stands as a testament to my hard work,” she said. “I’ve campaigned tirelessly to make Stafford a better place for people to live, work, and raise families.”

The rejection comes as Clarke had hoped to continue her service for Stafford after a significant victory in 2019, where she secured a majority of over 14,000 votes. Clarke’s candidacy in 2015 and 2017 for the Bristol East seat had been unsuccessful, but she ultimately won in Stafford, a constituency she has since worked to improve.

The new boundaries for constituencies, intended to make voter representation more equal, will come into effect for the next general election, expected by January 2025.

In her statement, Clarke further revealed that the abuse she endured, particularly in connection with her pregnancy, had been “disappointing,” as she returned to work this week. “It has been very disheartening,” she added.

Her comments echo broader frustrations within the party, especially in light of the rejection of another senior Tory, Damian Green, for the newly formed Weald of Kent seat. Green, a centrist Conservative and former deputy prime minister under Theresa May, has also faced the fallout from party leadership changes, with some suggesting his rejection was tied to his role in Boris Johnson’s resignation.

Clarke had previously resigned as trade envoy to Kenya in protest against Johnson’s leadership in July 2022, adding a further layer of complexity to her current situation.