This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8065339.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Tory MP to stand down at election | Tory MP to stand down at election |
| (11 minutes later) | |
| Conservative MP Andrew MacKay has announced he is to step down as an MP at the next general election. | Conservative MP Andrew MacKay has announced he is to step down as an MP at the next general election. |
| It comes after the MP for Bracknell, Berkshire, had a conversation with the Conservative leader, David Cameron. | It comes after the MP for Bracknell, Berkshire, had a conversation with the Conservative leader, David Cameron. |
| Mr MacKay had already resigned as Mr Cameron's aide because he and wife Julie Kirkbride, MP for Bromsgrove, both claimed second home allowances. | Mr MacKay had already resigned as Mr Cameron's aide because he and wife Julie Kirkbride, MP for Bromsgrove, both claimed second home allowances. |
| He said he did not want to become "a distraction" to voters as Mr Cameron sought to become prime minister. | He said he did not want to become "a distraction" to voters as Mr Cameron sought to become prime minister. |
| In a statement, Mr MacKay said: "Following a conversation with David Cameron this morning I have decided to step down as candidate for Bracknell at the next general election. | In a statement, Mr MacKay said: "Following a conversation with David Cameron this morning I have decided to step down as candidate for Bracknell at the next general election. |
| "I believe I could be a distraction at a time when he is working to get elected as prime minister with the good working majority necessary to take the tough decisions to turn this country around. | "I believe I could be a distraction at a time when he is working to get elected as prime minister with the good working majority necessary to take the tough decisions to turn this country around. |
| I hope my decision to step down goes some way to showing my constituents how sorry I am about my own situation Andrew MacKay | I hope my decision to step down goes some way to showing my constituents how sorry I am about my own situation Andrew MacKay |
| "I would never forgive myself if my candidature distracted voters from the key issues and particularly David's rousing call for change. | "I would never forgive myself if my candidature distracted voters from the key issues and particularly David's rousing call for change. |
| "It has been both a privilege and huge fun to represent the people of Bracknell for 26 years. | "It has been both a privilege and huge fun to represent the people of Bracknell for 26 years. |
| "I understand why people are angry. I hope my decision to step down goes some way to showing my constituents how sorry I am about my own situation." | "I understand why people are angry. I hope my decision to step down goes some way to showing my constituents how sorry I am about my own situation." |
| He insisted his decision was not the result of a public meeting on Friday, during which he was heckled by angry constituents. | He insisted his decision was not the result of a public meeting on Friday, during which he was heckled by angry constituents. |
| Mr Mackay saying he would stand for reselection - 22 May 2009 | |
| In the meeting, open to all constituents, one man accused him of failing to accept responsibility for his actions and another said he would no longer vote Conservative. | In the meeting, open to all constituents, one man accused him of failing to accept responsibility for his actions and another said he would no longer vote Conservative. |
| But one woman said he had shown courage to face his constituents. | But one woman said he had shown courage to face his constituents. |
| Afterwards, Mr MacKay told reporters he would still stand for reselection, saying he had the backing of most of those at the meeting. | Afterwards, Mr MacKay told reporters he would still stand for reselection, saying he had the backing of most of those at the meeting. |
| But one onlooker, who attended the meeting, accused him of misrepresenting the mood of the meeting and said he was, in fact, "overwhelmingly opposed". | But one onlooker, who attended the meeting, accused him of misrepresenting the mood of the meeting and said he was, in fact, "overwhelmingly opposed". |