Former well being secretary Matt Hancock has stated he won’t stand for the Conservatives within the subsequent basic election.
In a letter to the prime minister, Mr Hancock stated: “For my half, I need to do issues in a different way. I’ve found a complete new world of prospects which I’m excited to discover – new methods for me to speak with folks of all ages and from all backgrounds.
“I look forward to championing issues that are dear to my heart, including better support for dyslexic children who get a raw deal from the education system.”
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A spokesperson for Mr Hancock later confirmed “he has no intention of standing again”.
But there have been additionally indicators of a tense relationship between the MP and his native celebration in West Suffolk, with Tory Councillor Lance Stanbury saying it was “inevitable” he would step down after being “heavily criticised” by members.
Another councillor, Ian Houlder, additionally descibed Mr Hancock of being “up the creek without a paddle”, including: “He was looking at his options quite rightly as anybody would and he’s gone for the money.”
The former well being secretary – who returned to Westminster final week from Australia following his controversial spell on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – additionally broke the information in a video posted on social media platform TikTok.
“Today I am announcing I won’t be standing for parliament as a Conservative at the next election,” he stated.
“It’s been a huge privilege to serve in parliament and serve the people of West Suffolk and I am incredibly grateful to everybody who has supported me both in Suffolk and in government since then.
“I’ve more and more come to the view that it’s so essential to have interaction with folks about politics, about how our nation is run, not simply by parliament but additionally by new and modern methods – and I look ahead to doing extra of that.
“There are exciting possibilities ahead and, of course, until the next election I will serve all of my constituents and ensure that they have their voice in parliament.
“But, on the similar time, be sure that the revival of Conservativism – fashionable Conservatism that’s so mandatory – that that debate takes place and engages with everybody – together with you.”
The former health secretary’s local news outlet, Suffolk News, had last week reported that Newmarket Town Council was to send a letter to Mr Hancock asking him to resign following a vote.
It reported that before the vote, Independent Councillor Lisa Crissall, said: “We, the constituents of West Suffolk really feel extraordinarily let down by our MP Matt Hancock in his choice to participate on this actuality TV present.
“This decision would lead us to believe that this is the career path he would prefer to take, as a celebrity instead of fulfilling his role as Minister of Parliament for West Suffolk.
“We would ask that he resign his seat and permit somebody who cares about their constituents to fill the function.”
Mr Hancock was stripped of the Conservative whip after it emerged he was becoming a member of the fact TV present, prompting hypothesis about his political future and whether or not he would stand once more on the subsequent basic election which should happen earlier than January 2025.
The former well being secretary is presently sitting as an impartial MP within the House of Commons.
Just a number of days in the past Mr Hancock’s spokesperson advised the Telegraph newspaper: “He has no intention of standing down or stepping away from politics.”
The MP for West Suffolk has held his seat since 2010 and within the 2019 snap basic election elevated his majority to 23,194.
He turns into the most recent in a rising record of MPs who’ve introduced they won’t search re-election when the nation subsequent heads to the polls.
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How does the variety of MPs stepping down examine to earlier years?
Those who’ve introduced their intention to depart parliament within the subsequent few years vary from the longest standing feminine MP, Labour’s Harriet Harman, to a type of solely elected on the final election in 2019, Conservative MP Dehenna Davison.
Conservative MP Sajid Javid is one other former cupboard minister to have introduced his intention to step down.
Mr Javid, who was unsuccessful in his bid for Conservative Party management earlier this yr, stated in an announcement: “It has been a decision I have wrestled with for some time.”
Source: information.sky.com”
