BOURNEMOUTH East MP Tobias Ellwood has not had his Conservative party whip returned but remains hopeful it will be back soon. 

The MP, who has sat in his constituency seat since 2005, had the Tory whip removed in July when he failed to back Boris Johnson’s government in a confidence vote. 

Speaking with the Echo, Mr Ellwood said having his whip returned was “never destined to happen until after conference,” adding: “With the death of the Queen, things have been in huge turmoil and the whip’s office hasn’t been appointed.  

“I understand it’s in process but wasn’t likely to happen soon given everything else.  

Read more: Tobias Ellwood has Tory party whip removed

Read more: Bournemouth MP Tobias Ellwood has Tory whip suspended again

“There’s no reason why I shouldn’t get it back. I’ve been vocal on some issues, particularly to do with the King attending COP27, but there is a lot happening.” 

Mr Ellwood lost his Tory whip in July after missing a key vote in parliament for the-then prime minister Boris Johnson. 

Air travel chaos was blamed for the lack of attendance when Mr Ellwood was in Ukraine in a meeting with Moldova’s president and he couldn’t find a flight back home. 

In a statement, the senior MP said at the time: “Following my meeting yesterday with the president of Moldova I was unable to secure return travel due to unprecedented disruption both here and in the UK. 

“I am very sorry to lose the whip.” 

Having a party whip removed means the MP has been essentially expelled from their political party - but he or she does still hold their seat.

The whip is withdrwan when a minister refuses to vote in line with party policy on issues deemed to be significant or he or she faces misconduct.

Since losing his whip, Mr Ellwood has been sitting as an independent MP.

Mr Ellwood was asked for his thoughts on Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng’s premiership so far. He said: “It’s certainly a difficult period for the party and we absolutely need to regroup and show great discipline.  

“But more importantly we need to offer an economic plan that is going to win over wider support. The prime minister and chancellor’s speeches will be critical in showing clarity in where the plan intends to go.”