A former Conservative MP who lost his seat at last year’s general election has been accused of still ‘parading around as an MP’ by the leader of the House of Commons. Chris Green, who lost his Bolton West seat to Labour’s Phil Brickell in July 2024, had a constituency office on Market Street, Westhoughton.
His office is closed, but the sign is still up
More than seven months after losing his seat, signs at the office still display ‘Chris Green – Member of Parliament for Bolton West’ alongside two ‘portcullis’ House of Commons logos. Manchester Central MP, Lucy Powell, who is leader of the house, said there are ‘strict protocols’ about using the title of MP and parliamentary insignia and called for the sign’s removal.
Mr Green said he gains ‘no benefit’ from the sign remaining and blamed Labour policies for it being still in place.
Following each parliamentary election there is a spell where former MPs shut down offices, make staff redundant and pay final bills. Winding-down payments are distributed to help departing MPs close their offices and manage the departure of staff.
They have up to four months to carry out the necessary tasks.
Broken protocols
Lucy Powell, said:
Former MPs should not parade themselves as still being an MP, using the famous portcullis logo as well.
There are strict protocols about both. If this office is still in use, or even if it’s vacant, the sign should be removed immediately.
Chris Green, said:
Like many Conservative MPs, I lost my seat at the election, settled the contract with the landlord and moved on. “I now have a new job and gain no benefit from an old sign being up.
My landlord said that he would either sell the shop unit or get new tenants which is when he would replace the sign. “Unfortunately, Labour imposed a jobs tax whose looming presence is deterring people from opening up shops on our high streets and is threatening closure of many others.
Labour has killed investment and job creation which is why landlords are not out with the old and in with the new.
The onus is on Chris Green to remove the sign
A Bolton Labour source said:
MPs and ex-MPs who make the rules should follow them.
Seven months is plenty of time to have had the sign removed.
He can’t blame the landlord as it was him who had the sign erected.Therefore, the onus is on him to remove it.
Chris Green needs to ensure that this sign is removed immediately, so that people don’t confuse him as still being the MP.
