The Conservative candidate in the Wakefield by-election has said people should still vote for the scandal-hit Tories because “we still trust GPs” after Harold Shipman killed 250 people. Nadeem Ahmed is running to replace Imran Ahmad Khan, the former Conservative MP who resigned and triggered a by-election last month after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy.

Mr Khan was the first Tory MP to be elected for Wakefield since 1931, amid a wave of Conservative victories in “Red Wall” constituencies in Labour heartlands at the last general election. His prospective replacement, Mr Ahmed is a former teacher and councillor and has attempted to distance himself from Mr Khan - claiming he was “one bad apple”.

Tory strategists now expect the seat to return to the Labour party in Thursday’s by-election vote, amid fears about the rising cost of living and anger over partygate and Mr Khan’s conviction for a sexual offence.

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