COPELAND could be without an MP for more than three months, it has been claimed.

Labour MP Jamie Reed’s departure at the end of January will trigger a by-election which pundits say could be on May 4.

As the party that currently holds the seat, Labour has to formally move the by-election writ to select his replacement, and can dictate the date constituents will go to the polls.

Businessman and campaigner Gerard Richardson, who lives in the Copleand constituency, said he believes May would be an ideal time for a by-election.

He said: "I don't think they should rush it. It is better for democracy as it will allow the candidates time to campaign, and Copeland's issues, such as health, will receive a national focus.

"I think it is a good thing that the area will have a national influence."

Mr Richardson said being without an MP wouldn't affect the community. "It won't matter that there isn't a hand on the tiller, we have many campaigning groups keeping an eye on issues," he added.

The issues include the Success Regime’s controversial final proposals for local healthcare, which are due in the spring, while work towards major projects, including the National Grid upgrade and the building of a new nuclear power station at Moorside, are progressing at speed.

Speaking to The Huffington Post UK, MP Andrew Gwynne, the driving force behind Labour’s by-election campaign, has suggested that May 4 could be its preferred polling date. This would tie-in with Cumbria County Council's polling day.

Mr Gwynne is reported as saying: “There is a thought that May 4 is a good day. We’re planning for that as it’s better to plan for a long campaign and be pleasantly surprised than plan for a short campaign and then realise you’ve got to stretch your resources out for several months.

“A decision has genuinely not been taken. There is a train of thought that May is a good date in terms of turnout because you’ve got the county council elections on the same day, so turnout will be better.”

A Labour spokesman confirmed no decision would be taken until Mr Reed's resignation takes effect. Although it is common practice for the sitting party to move the writ, in theory any MP of any party can move it. Labour is currently selecting a shortlist from those who have put themselves forward to succeed Mr Reed.

The national spotlight is expected to be intense in Copeland, on whichever date the by-election is called, with pundits expecting a tight race.

Labour will be defending a majority of 2,564 in Copeland from 2015, making it the tightest by-election for the party since Jeremy Corbyn became leader.