Writ moved for the Bradford West by-election

A by-election occurs when a seat in the House of Commons becomes vacant during the lifetime of a Parliament (i.e. between general elections), because the sitting MP dies, resigns (by applying for the Chiltern Hundreds), is elevated to the peerage, or becomes ineligible to sit for some other reason.

Marsha Singh

Marsha Singh was elected for the Bradford West constituency in May 1997. He served on the Home Affairs Select Committee from 1997-2005 and the International Development Select Committee from 2005-2010. The former MP has stood down due to ill health.

At the 2010 General Election Marsha Singh of the Labour Party had a majority of 5,763.

How an MP vacates their seat

A resolution passed by the House of Commons on 2 March 1624 prohibits MPs directly from resigning their seats. Death, disqualification and expulsion are the only means by which a Member’s seat may be vacated during the lifetime of a Parliament.

An MP who wishes to resign has to go through the process of applying for a paid office of the Crown, which automatically disqualifies the MP from holding a seat in the House of Commons. There are two offices which MPs can apply for, Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chilterns Hundreds and of the Manor of Northstead.

An MP wishing to resign applies to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for one of the offices, which he or she retains until the Chancellor appoints another applicant or until the holder applies for release from it. (Every new warrant issued revokes the previous holder). It is usual to grant the offices alternately; as this enables two Members to retire at precisely the same time. 

• HM Treasury press notice: Three Hundreds of Chiltern (external website)

Further information

A Parliamentary Information List provides information on who has been appointed to the Chiltern Hundreds since 1850.

• Parliamentary Information List: Appointments to the Chiltern Hundreds and Manor of Northstead Stewardships since 1850