[user104658]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

mp's that jump ship very rarely get re-elected

Indeed, areas vote on party lines not for an individual candidate. If they're going to vote Tory they'll vote Tory.

However, he may be flipping because he thinks his area is leaning Labour. In which case, they will indeed vote for him. Because again the name and face don't really matter, people are voting for the party being represented.