Boris Johnson did not campaign in Uxbridge to help his potential successor

The Uxbridge by-election was prompted by Boris Johnson's resignation after reports he misled MPs over partygate. Credit: Daniel Leal/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Boris Johnson did not campaign for his potential successor in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-elections, The Telegraph understands.

The former prime minister, who does not live in the constituency, is missing from the campaign trail, and party branding is missing from the flyers of Conservative candidate Steve Tuckwell.

Voters in the seat will select a new MP on Thursday in a by-election triggered by Mr Johnson's resignation following a parliamentary report that concluded he misled MPs about party gates.

Party sources said that in spite of Mr. Johnson's previous majority of over 7,000 votes, he did not help Mr. Tuckwell's doorstep by campaigning on his behalf.

The two men are believed to have only spoken on the phone once, in a conversation that lasted about 30 seconds, during which Mr. Johnson asked if he had read his latest Daily Mail column.

After that As Mr. Johnson Tuckwell replied that he had read the article, Mr. Johnson replied «Very well» and the call ended.

Many expect the Conservatives to lose the by-election to Labor, who fielded Camden Labor. adviser Danny Beals as their nominee.

Mr Tuckwell tried to use Sadiq Khan's expansion of London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone (Ulez) in the county in an attempt to bolster support for the Conservatives.

Out of public life

Mr. Johnson has been largely absent from public life since he left office on June 10, and recently had his third child with his wife, Carrie.

A conservative source said: «Boris called Steve to wish him luck, but he didn't campaign.»

During an interview with the Telegraph ahead of the by-election, Mr. Tuckwell repeatedly referred to Mr. Johnson as a «former MP,» prompting speculation that he deliberately distanced himself from his predecessor.

But The Telegraph does not understand Mr. Johnson received an official request from the party to stay away from Uxbridge until election day.

His spokesman urged voters in the constituency to vote Conservative.

A by-election will take place on the same day as the other two elections in Selby and Ainsty, formerly held by one of Johnson's closest allies, Nigel Adams, and in Somerton and Frome, where incumbent Conservative David Warburton also resigned.

Losing all three seats would likely force Rishi Sunak make changes to its administration ahead of next year's general elections.

Conservative sources say the party does not expect good results in the near future. elections because they take place at the center of Tory government, which has historically been a challenge for sitting governments.

But the results may be indicative of the strength of Labor's message in conservative centers.