Tories brace for flood of MPs announcing they will QUIT at the next election because they have ALREADY given up on winning … after ‘rising stars’ Chloe Smith and William Wragg say they will leave the Commons
- 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
The Conservatives are braced for a swarm of MPs announcing they will quit the party’s troubled parliamentary ranks at the next election amid fears of a hammering from voters.
The Tories have been rocked by the decision by two former rising stars to leave frontline politics instead of staying to vie for top job.
Chloe Smith, 40, who was briefly work and pensions secretary during Liz Truss’s brief tenure in No 10 this summer, revealed she will not contest Norwich North, the marginal constituency she has held since 2009.
And last night William Wragg, who chairs the Public Administration and Constitutions Affairs Committee, said he would stand down from the Hazel Grove seat in Manchester. The 34-year-old has only been in the Commons since 2015.
Tory leaders are bracing for as many as 80 MPs to announce they will not fight the next election, expected in 2024, the Times reported. They have been given until December 5 this year to make a decision.
The Tories are miles behind in almost all polls and the party is facing an uphill struggle to form the next Government.
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
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’
Ms Smith has consistently held her Norfolk seat in general elections with a majority of around 4,000 – except for in 2017, when this dropped to just 507.
She 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.
‘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.’
Mr Wragg, meanwhile is a vice-chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee of Tory MPs.
The Brexiteer took Hazel Grove from the Liberal Democrats just seven years ago, becoming the first Tory MP there since 1997.
In a tweet last night 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.’
Mr Wragg’s announcement came on the same day his Tory colleague, former work and pensions secretary Chloe Smith, also said she was standing down at the next election.
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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