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Oliver Dowden resigns as Conservative Party chair after ‘very poor’ byelection losses
"We cannot carry on with business as usual."
Oliver Dowden has written to the Prime Minister this morning to tender his resignation as chair of the Conservative Party.
Following what has been a disastrous night for the Conservative Party, after byelection losses in both Wakefield and in Tiverton and Honiton, Oliver Dowden – who has been the MP for Hertsmere since 2015 – has stepped down from his role as chairman, saying someone “must take responsibility” for a recent run of “very poor” results.
The Tory MP confirmed his resignation in writing to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and shared the letter on Twitter this morning.
“We cannot carry on with business as usual,” he said in his letter.
Oliver Dowden had served as co-chairman of the Conservative Party from 2021 to 2022.
Mr Dowden’s role as party chair was combined with a position as minister without portfolio, sitting in the cabinet.
Prior to being appointed in the role of co-chairman, Mr Dowden previously served as Minister for the Cabinet Office from 2019 to 2020, and most-notably made a name for himself as the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport – a position he held from 2020 to 2021.
Mr Dowden’s letter of resignation reads in full: “Yesterday’s Parliamentary by-elections are the latest in a run of very poor results for our party.
“Our supporters are distressed and disappointed by recent events, and I share their feelings.
“We cannot carry on with business as usual. Somebody must take responsibility and I have concluded that, in these circumstances, it would not be right for me to remain in office.”
He added that “has been an honour” to serve in the cabinet.
The letter continues: “I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our excellent Conservative volunteers and staffers who work so tirelessly for our cause. They are the backbone of our great party and deserve better than this.
“Finally I want to emphasise that this is a deeply personal decision that I have taken alone. I will, as always, remain loyal to the Conservative Party.”
Featured Image – Pippa Fowles / Number 10 (via Flickr)
News
Investigation launched after man ‘brutally’ murdered at Peak District stone circle on summer solstice
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched after a man’s life was taken in ‘the most brutal way’ following a summer solstice event.
The investigation has been launched after Derbyshire Police were called to reports of a man’s body being found at Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District at 1:38pm on Monday 22 June, and when emergency services attended the scene, a 26-year-old man was found and pronounced dead.
The man has been named as Isaac Clare-Watts, from Nottingham, and police say his family are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.
Police are now searching to understand the circumstances around his death.
A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident, and he remains in custody for questioning.
Investigators say they remain ‘keen’ to hear from anyone who was at the site over the weekend – which was notably the weekend of the summer solstice – as well as anyone with video footage from the event, and dashcam footage of vehicles arriving and leaving over the weekend.
A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been set up where members of the public can send information to police directly.
“I am urgently appealing for anyone who attended the summer solstice event over the weekend to please speak to officers as soon as they can,” commented Detective Inspector Tony Owen from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), who is leading the investigation.
“A young man’s life has been taken in the most brutal way, so it is vital that myself and the team build up a clear picture of the exact circumstances surrounding his death and this is why we urgently need to speak to everyone who was at the scene over the weekend.
“You may have only been there briefly and think you can’t help but you could hold the key piece of information we need to understand what has happened and help us to get justice for this young man’s family.
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“So I would ask, please, that if you attended the event, you contact us urgently so we can build up a picture of the event itself and what has led to this man’s death. I also really urge anyone who captured video footage from the event over the weekend to please come forward.
“You could play a key role in helping us with this murder investigation.”
Featured Image -Wikimedia Commons
News
Prestigious Edinburgh TV Festival to move to Manchester for first time in 50 years
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester will become the new host city for the TV Festival from 2027 onwards it was announced today.
For the first time in five decades, following an extensive consultation and competitive bidding process – which was launched in 2025 – the prestigious festival is set to move from its home in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh to our region from 2027 onwards, beating out other major northern cities like Newcastle in the process.
As part of a UK-wide strategic review into the event’s long-term future, the Festival’s board of directors say the review was undertaken in order to ‘examine how the TV Festival could continue to grow’ amid increasing challenges around accessibility, affordability, and sustainability across the television industry.
Greater Manchester‘s ‘successful and comprehensive’ bid included commitments around affordability, infrastructure, industry partnership, and long-term growth potential.
Plans include holding the Festival in locations in the newly developed St. John’s creative and cultural district.
“Greater Manchester presented a vision for the Festival that combined genuine creative ambition and future-facing energy with practical accessibility and affordability for delegates,” commented Campbell Glennie, who is the CEO of the TV Festival and The TV Foundation.
“This means we can radically reduce the costs associated with attending the Festival as well as the cost of passes.
“The city reflects the expanding ambition of the UK television industry, while still offering the scale, connectivity and unique cultural identity needed for an event of this significance – it gives us the strongest platform to grow the Festival’s reach and impact in the years ahead.”
Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council, said being chosen as TV Festival hosts is ‘brilliant news’ for Greater Manchester, adding: “It speaks to the growth, success and strength of our screen sector in the city region and the strong partnerships and talent we have here.”
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The final Edinburgh edition of the TV Festival will take place this August, and dates and further details for the TV Festival in 2027 will be shared later this year.
Featured Image – PickPik
The Manc -
24th June 2022 
