Lucy Connolly has hinted at standing as an MP after calling for “new blood” in politics.
Mrs Connolly, who is the wife of a former Conservative councillor, has opened the door to a potential political career, saying “something needs to be done”.
The former childminder was jailed for stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers online in the aftermath of the Southport murders in 2024 and released from prison last August.
She wrote to X: “I say this over and over. Politics needs new blood not the same old s**t rebranded.
“We are all guilty of saying something needs to change, something needs to be done.
“Well sometimes that change is you! People should seriously consider standing as MPs.
“We aren’t going to bring about change shouting on Twitter and there is no better experience than lived experience.”
One X user replied to the post calling on Mrs Connolly to “stand then”, to which she replied: “Never say never.”
Lucy Connolly has hinted at a potential political career
|
PA
The 42-year-old has previously said she would “love” to work with Reform UK.
Speaking at a Reform conference in September last year, she said: “I’d really love to use my experience to work with, hopefully, Reform in the future.”
Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice welcomed her comments, saying Mrs Connolly could “help the cause of free speech”.
He added: “It’s wonderful to see her back with us and to hear her direct, telling her story.
Lucy Connolly previously said she would ‘love’ a future with Reform UK
|
PA
“I think that she has a huge opportunity to help Reform and help the cause of free speech.”
Mrs Connolly was handed a 31-month sentence after pleading guilty to inciting racial hatred by publishing and distributing “threatening or abusive” written material on X and was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court in October 2024.
She was ordered to serve 40 per cent of her sentence in prison before being released on licence.
Her case sparked debate, with some criticising her sentence as excessive.
Lucy Connolly was handed a 31-month sentence for stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers online in the aftermath of the Southport attack
|
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE POLICE/PA
Speaking upon her release from prison, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the sentence was “harsher than the sentences handed down for bricks thrown at police or actual rioting”.
Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the case as a “symbol of Keir Starmer’s authoritarian, broken, two-tier Britain”.
Mrs Connolly had made a bid to challenge her sentence at the Court of Appeal, but this was dismissed in May last year.
Lord Justice Holroyde said at the time: “There is no arguable basis on which it could be said that the sentence imposed by the judge was manifestly excessive.”
Sir Keir Starmer previously defended her sentence when quizzed by MPs during Prime Minister’s Questions.
The Prime Minister told MPs in May last year: “Sentencing is a matter for our courts and I celebrate the fact that we have independent courts in this country.
“I am strongly in favour of free speech, we’ve had free speech in this country for a very long time and we protect it fiercely.
“But I am equally against incitement to violence against other people. I will always support the action taken by our police and courts to keep our streets and people safe.”