Farewell to William Hague - and the 85 other MPs standing down
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32055347 Version 0 of 1. William Hague is standing down as an MP after an illustrious 25 year career in the House of Commons. Looking back on his time in politics, in an interview with the BBC's Norman Smith, the former foreign secretary and Conservative Party leader said he had few regrets, other than losing the 2001 general election. "I'm not one for having a lot of regrets but I do regret that we didn't get things back together again faster in the Conservative Party," he added. But Mr Hague is far from alone in seeking a new role, away from the famous green benches, after 7 May's general election. A total of 86 MPs have announced their intention to stand down, according to BBC Analysis and Research. It might sound like a lot, out of 650 MPs, but it is a long way short of the total in 2010, when 149 MPs headed for the exit in the biggest Commons clear-out in history, in the wake of the expenses scandal. A total of 17 former cabinet ministers - 12 Labour and five Conservative - are standing down at this election. The departure of Mr Hague, Sir George Young and Stephen Dorrell takes the number of John Major cabinet survivors down to three: Ken Clarke, Peter Lilley, (who both served under Margaret Thatcher as well) and John Redwood. Three female Conservative MPs, all elected in 2010, have announced they will retire. This constitutes 6% of female Tory MPs. In all, seven of the 2010 Tory intake will stand down after a single term. High profile Tory retirees include former health secretary Andrew Lansley, Sir George Young and Sir Peter Tapsell, the Father of the House, who was first elected to the Commons in 1959. He has clocked up 54 years on the green benches, with a two year break from the Commons in the mid-1960s, making him one of the longest-serving MPs in British history. Former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rikfind, who now sits as an independent. after having the Tory Whip withdrawn, is also standing down. The retirements on the Labour side leave only three members of Tony Blair's first cabinet - Nick Brown, Margaret Beckett and Harriet Harman - in the Commons, assuming they manage to retain their seats. High profile Labour retirees include former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and ex-cabinet ministers Alistair Darling, David Blunkett and Dame Tessa Jowell. Former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who has had the Labour whip suspended, and who now sits as an independent, is also standing down. Eleven women, 16% of Labour's female MPs are standing down, although in contrast to the Conservatives, they are all long-serving MPs. A total of 10 Liberal Democrats, including two women, are standing down. Retirees include former leader Sir Menzies Campbell and former minister Jeremy Browne. Here is the full list of MPs standing down in 2015: Conservatives Stephen O'Brien, Eddisbury Francis Maude, Horsham Mark Hoban, Fareham Sir Hugh Robertson, Faversham and Mid Kent Robert Walter, North Dorset Stephen Dorrell, Charnwood Sir Richard Shepherd, Aldridge Brownhills Andrew Robathan, South Leicestershire Sir Tony Baldry, Banbury Chris Kelly, Dudley South Brooks Newmark, Braintree Mark Simmonds, Boston and Skegness David Ruffley, Bury St Edmunds Dan Byles, North Warwickshire Andrew Lansley, South Cambridgeshire Greg Barker, Bexhill and Battle David Willetts, Havant William Hague, Richmond Sir John Randall, Uxbridge and South Ruislip James Clappison, Hertsmere Mike Weatherley, Hove Sir Peter Tapsell, Louth and Horncastle Aidan Burley, Cannock Chase Tim Yeo, South Suffolk (deselected) Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Kensington (whip withdrawn) Sir George Young, North West Hampshire Laura Sandys, South Thanet Jessica Lee, Erewash Lorraine Fullbrook, Ribble South Brian Binley, Northampton North Sir Jim Paice, South East Cambridgeshire Charles Hendry, Wealden Jonathan Evans, Cardiff North Richard Ottaway, Croydon South Peter Luff, Mid Worcestershire Sir John Stanley, Tonbridge and Malling James Arbuthnot, North East Hampshire Labour Linda Riordan, Halifax Paul Murphy, Torfaen Andy Love, Edmonton Dave Watts, St Helens North Sir Hugh Bayley, York Central Gordon Brown, Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Alistair Darling, Edinburgh South West Frank Dobson, Holborn and St Pancras Sir Tony Cunningham, Workington David Blunkett, Sheffield Brightside & Hillsborough Joe Benton, Bootle Peter Hain, Neath Gerry Sutcliffe, Bradford South Austin Mitchell, Great Grimsby David Heyes, Ashton-under-Lyne Mike Wood, Batley and Spen Sian James, Swansea East Hazel Blears, Salford and Eccles Meg Munn, Sheffield Heeley Anne McGuire, Stirling Andrew Miller, Ellesmere Port & Neston Hywel Francis, Aberavon Dame Tessa Jowell, Dulwich and West Norwood Joan Walley, Stoke on Trent North Shaun Woodward, St Helen's South Lindsay Roy, Glenrothes Jack Straw, Blackburn (whip withdrawn) Frank Doran, Aberdeen North George Mudie, Leeds East Nick Raynsford, Greenwich and Woolwich Dame Joan Ruddock, Lewisham Deptford Bob Ainsworth, Coventry North East Martin Caton, Gower Dawn Primarolo, Bristol South John Denham, Southampton Itchen Jackson, Glenda, Hampstead & Kilburn Dai Havard, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney Liberal Democrat Jeremy Browne, Taunton Deane Ian Swales, Redcar Don Foster, Bath David Heath, Somerton and Frome Sir Menzies Campbell, North East Fife Sir Andrew Stunell, Hazel Grove Sarah Teather, Brent Central Sir Malcolm Bruce, Gordon Sir Alan Beith, Berwick-upon-Tweed Annette Brooke, Mid Dorset and North Poole Plaid Cymru Elfyn Llwyd, Dwyfor Meirionnyd Independent Eric Joyce, Falkirk (formerly Labour) |