Three Tory MPs set to become peers in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours could trigger fresh by-election woe for Rishi Sunak.
The Conservative trio are tipped to be clad in ermine when the former Prime Minister’s outgoing batch of gongs for cronies is announced.
They include former Culture Secretary and ex-I’m A Celebrity …! star Nadine Dorries, Scotland Secretary Alister Jack and former Foreign Office Minister Nigel Adams.
Ex-Business Secretary Sir Alok Sharma could also be sent to the Upper House.
Individuals become peers as soon as their honours are announced - and peers cannot sit in the Commons.
But No10 reportedly hoped for an unprecedented arrangement which would allow them to remain on the green benches until the next general election, widely expected in autumn 2024.
However, the House of Lords Appointments Commission - the body which vets peerages - has warned the Cabinet Office the plan would be constitutionally improper and they should quit as MPs if they want to go to the second chamber, according to The Times.
If they stood down as MPs, the Tories would eventually be obliged to “move writs” formally triggering by-elections.
Ms Dorries retained her Mid Bedfordshire seat with a 24,664 majority at the 2019 general election and it is seen as “safe” by the Tory Party hierarchy.
Mr Adams won his Selby and Ainsty seat in North Yorkshire by 20,137 votes, with Labour in second place.
But Mr Jack has a fragile 1,805 majority over the SNP - meaning the marginal constituency would be a prime target and highly vulnerable in a by-election.
Conservative Campaign headquarters would also worry about retaining Sir Alok’s Reading West seat in a snap poll.
His 2019 majority over Labour was just 4,117 - and the constituency is the sort of seat Keir Starmer’s party needs to win if it is to form a government after the next election.
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