Public perception is mixed. Some support her for being a local member, others criticize her for the Grenfell comments. The by-election in the Isle of Wight might affect her tenure as an MP. She's defending her seat in a possible by-election if there's a significant reason for a by-election, though no immediate one is scheduled.

Her political career started as a local councillor. She was the leader of the Isle of Wight Council. Then she became an MP. Her suspension from the party in 2022 would have made her unable to serve as an MP, but I don't think that's been the case yet. Wait, no, the suspension by the party is separate from her role as an MP. The UK doesn't have expulsion of MPs for party discipline unless the party removes them as a whip, which would make them independent. In her case, she lost the whip, so she's now an independent MP but remains in Parliament unless she steps down.

Her current status: as of the latest info, she's an independent MP. She was suspended from the Conservatives in 2022, lost the whip, and hasn't rejoined the party post-2023. She's facing by-election pressure, so there have been calls for her to step down.