Exodus fears as two Tory MPs quit on the same day

November 23, 2022

Exodus fears as two Tory MPs quit on the same day: Ex-cabinet minister Chloe Smith and William Wragg both say they will stand down from parliament at the next election

One Tory MP reportedly said that they now expected as many as 80 to quit
Ms Smith, 40, has held the marginal Norwich North constituency since 2009
Mr Wragg has held Greater Manchester constituency of Hazel Grove since 2015

Ex-cabinet minister Chloe Smith and William Wragg have both said that they will stand down from parliament at the next election.

Their departure sparked fears of an exodus among Tory MPs, with one saying that they now expected as many as 80 to quit, The Times reported.

They added MPs in winnable seats could also stand down if there was a possibility that the Conservative party would lose power at the next general election.

Former work and pensions secretary Ms Smith, 40, who served in the Cabinet role during Liz Truss’s brief tenure in No 10, has held the marginal Norwich North constituency since 2009.

She has consistently won the seat in general elections with a majority of around 4,000 – except for in 2017, when this dropped to just 507.

Ms Smith has also held ministerial jobs across several departments during her time as a Conservative MP, including the Treasury and Northern Ireland Office.

In a statement announcing her intention to step back after this Parliament ends, she said: ‘I have been honoured to be Norwich North’s MP.

‘It’s a fantastic job for a fantastic place, and it’s a particular privilege to be able to represent Norwich and Norfolk, where I come from.

Former work and pensions secretary Ms Smith, 40, who served in the Cabinet role during Liz Truss’s brief tenure in No 10, has held the marginal Norwich North constituency since 2009

She has consistently won the seat in general elections with a majority of around 4,000 – except for in 2017, when this dropped to just 507

‘I am grateful to the thousands of Norwich citizens who placed their trust in me so many times.

‘I would also like to thank my team of volunteers who work so hard alongside me to help the community, and who have been so supportive, including during tough personal times.

‘I hope I’ve been able to make a difference, locally and nationally. In 2024, after 15 years of service, it will be the right time to step back, for me and my young family.’

She said she is most proud of co-founding the Norwich for Jobs project, designed to help young people into work.

She also pointed to her work on the rail industry, including her success lobbying for carriages on the Norwich-London train line and her experience co-chairing the Great Eastern Mainline Taskforce.

Elsewhere, Ms Smith worked with Labour’s Rosie Cooper to put the British Sign Language Act into law – which was ‘significant’ to the Tory MP because she has a deaf family member.

Ms Cooper ‘loved working with’ Ms Smith, whom she described as ‘so straightforward and honest’.

Ms Smith’s announcement came on the same day her Tory colleague, Mr Wragg, 34, also said he was standing down at the next election.

Senior Conservative Mr Wragg, 34, who chairs the Public Administration and Constitutions Affairs select committee, has held the Greater Manchester constituency of Hazel Grove since 2015

In a tweet announcing his intention to step back after this Parliament ends, he said: ‘It is a privilege to be the Member of Parliament for Hazel Grove’

The Brexiteer took the seat from the Liberal Democrats and became first Tory MP there since 1997

The senior Conservative, who chairs the Public Administration and Constitutions Affairs select committee, has held the Greater Manchester constituency of Hazel Grove since 2015.

The Brexiteer took the seat from the Liberal Democrats and became the first Tory MP there since 1997.

In a tweet announcing his intention to step back after this Parliament ends, he said: ‘It is a privilege to be the Member of Parliament for Hazel Grove.

‘I have made the decision not to stand at the next election.

‘I shall continue to represent constituents to the best of my ability in the meantime and thank everyone for their wonderful support over the years.’

It also comes as opinion polls have shown the Conservatives face an uphill battle at the next general election, which will take place in January 2025 at the latest.

Mr Wragg, who is vice chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, appears to have been unhappy with his party’s leaders in recent years.

He was a fierce critic of Boris Johnson, submitting a letter of no-confidence and describing the then-prime minister’s position as ‘untenable’ in January.

He also publicly demanded that Liz Truss quit in October, after her mini-budget sparked financial turmoil and plummeting polling for the Conservatives.

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