Which MPs are standing down at the election?
The general election date is set and most MPs are entering campaign mode. Others, however, are clearing out their desk for the last time.
The House of Commons will lose over 750 years of parliamentary experience with more than 50 incumbents preparing to stand down – and there may be more to come.
Here are the ones we know about so far:
Independents
Ken Clarke, is the longest serving MP in the House of Commons, known as the father of the house, having served his Rushcliffe constituency for almost half a century.
A long-time supporter of the UK’s membership of the EU, he was expelled from the Conservative Party by Boris Johnson, after he rebelled against the government over Brexit.
Sir Oliver Letwin, the former Conservative minister and West Dorset MP, who was recently at the forefront of Parliamentary attempts to delay Brexit.
Former Education Secretary and Brexit rebel Justine Greening (Putney), who said she can “achieve more positive change outside Parliament” and will now focus specifically on improving social mobility.
One-time Conservative leadership candidate and walking enthusiast Rory Stewart (Penrith and the Border), who is focusing on trying to beat Sadiq Khan in next year’s London mayoral election, as an independent candidate.
Former Home, and Work and Pensions, Secretary Amber Rudd, MP for the ultra-marginal Hastings and Rye seat, who resigned from the cabinet and surrendered the Tory whip over Brexit in September. She was not among those who had the whip restored by the PM on Tuesday.
- Former Home Secretary Amber Rudd standing down
Guto Bebb (Aberconwy), another Brexit rebel kept out in the cold by Boris Johnson – and so unable to stand as a Conservative candidate.
Conservatives
Nicky Morgan (Loughborough), the current culture secretary, surprised Westminster watchers by announcing her departure, citing the “clear impact” on her family and “the other sacrifices involved in and the abuse for doing the job of a modern MP”.
Claire Perry (Devizes), a former energy minister and president of COP26, a UN climate change conference.
Sir Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex), grandson of wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill, who was among those kicked out of the party by Boris Johnson over his opposition to a no-deal Brexit.
He has now been welcomed back into the fold, but is standing down.
Readmitted rebels Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire), Richard Harrington (Watford), Richard Benyon (Newbury).
Former Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon who has been the MP for Sevenoaks since 1997 and before that MP for Darlington.
Sir David Lidington (Aylesbury) de-facto deputy PM under Theresa May wants to spend more time with his family while he is “still in active and good health”.
Former miner – and former minister – who has been in Parliament for 33 years – Sir Patrick McLoughlin (Derbyshire Dales).
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