Responding to the Government's decision to call the Crewe and Nantwich by-election for 22 May, Liberal Democrat President, Simon Hughes said:

"There has long been a convention that by-elections are called by the party which previously held the seat. However, there are strong arguments against any party rushing into a by-election.

"Most people would expect that the election of an MP's successor should not start at least until after the funeral of the previous MP.

"A longer gap between a seat becoming vacant and the election campaign starting would allow more time for candidates to decide to stand and be in place. Voters need time to arrange to be at home or organise postal votes for the day of the election.

"The Government must work to build a cross-party agreement about the minimum time between an MP's death and a by-election being called."