List of MPs standing down at the United Kingdom general election, 2010

A record number of MPs stood down at the United Kingdom general election of 2010, meaning they were Members of Parliament (MPs) in the 54th parliament, but chose not to contest the 2010 UK general election (in some cases after being deselected by their parties).

This election had an unusually high number of MPs choosing not to seek re-election with more standing down than did so at the 1945 election (which on account of the extraordinary wartime circumstances came ten years after the preceding election).[1] This has been attributed to the expenses scandal and the fact that redundancy-style payments for departing MPs may be scrapped after the election.[2]

In all, 149 MPs (100 Labour, 35 Conservatives, 7 Liberal Democrats, 2 independents, 1 Independent Conservative and 1 member each from Plaid Cymru, Scottish National Party, the Democratic Unionist Party, and Social Democratic and Labour Party) announced that they would not be contesting the next election. In four of these cases a sitting MP was not selected by their Constituency Labour Party to stand.

In addition, three seats were vacant at the dissolution of Parliament on 12 April 2010, where the sitting MP had died or resigned and no by-election had been held.

Contents

Labour

Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) barred five MPs from standing as official Labour Party candidates at the 2010 general election in the wake of the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal.[3][4] However, they could stand as independent candidates. Three of these MPs, David Chaytor, Margaret Moran and Elliot Morley, stated that they would be standing down as MPs. Another, Ian Gibson, resigned his seat, causing a by-election in Norwich North that was won by Conservative candidate Chloe Smith. The fifth, Jim Devine, hinted either at forcing a by-election or standing for re-election as an independent,[5] but ended up standing down.[6]

The East Lothian Labour Party voted on 19 March 2010 to deselect their MP, Anne Moffat, who appealed the decision the NEC, which rejected her appeal.[7] Moffat chose to stand down at the general election, and it was revealed that she had been negotiating a pension based on retirement with a health condition at the same time she was fighting the deselection.[8]

List of Labour MPs standing down:

  1. Hilary ArmstrongNorth West Durham, announced 4 July 2009[9]
  2. John AustinErith and Thamesmead, announced 31 July 2008[10]
  3. John BattleLeeds West, announced 20 October 2006[11]
  4. Liz BlackmanErewash, announced 9 January 2010[12]
  5. Des BrowneKilmarnock and Loudoun, announced 27 November 2009[13]
  6. Colin BurgonElmet, announced 23 April 2009[14]
  7. Stephen ByersNorth Tyneside, announced 14 November 2009[15]
  8. Richard CabornSheffield Central, announced 13 September 2007[16]
  9. Colin ChallenMorley and Rothwell, announced 30 January 2007[17]
  10. Ben ChapmanWirral South, announced 21 May 2009 [18]
  11. David ChaytorBury North, announced 2 June 2009[19]
  12. Michael ClaphamBarnsley West and Penistone, announced 14 November 2006[20]
  13. David ClellandTyne Bridge, announced 26 January 2010[21]
  14. Harry CohenLeyton and Wanstead, announced 30 June 2009 [22]
  15. Jim CousinsNewcastle upon Tyne Central, announced 9 June 2009[23]
  16. Ann CryerKeighley, announced 21 August 2008[24]
  17. John CummingsEasington, announced 9 October 2006[25]
  18. Claire Curtis-ThomasCrosby, announced 7 October 2009[26]
  19. Quentin DaviesGrantham and Stamford[27]
  20. Janet DeanBurton, announced 20 June 2007[28]
  21. Jim DevineLivingston, prevented from standing as a Labour candidate 15 June 2009.[4]
  22. Jeff EnnisBarnsley East and Mexborough, announced 9 February 2010[29]
  23. Bill EtheringtonSunderland North, announced 9 December 2006[30]
  24. Mark FisherStoke-on-Trent Central, announced 10 March 2010[31]
  25. Barbara FollettStevenage, announced 1 October 2009[32]
  26. Bruce GeorgeWalsall South, announced 18 February 2010[33]
  27. Neil GerrardWalthamstow, announced 23 February 2007[34]
  28. Nigel GriffithsEdinburgh South, announced 31 January 2010[35]
  29. John GroganSelby, announced 10 October 2006[36]
  30. Mike HallWeaver Vale, announced 2 February 2010[37]
  31. Sylvia HealHalesowen and Rowley Regis, announced 9 March 2010[38]
  32. Doug HendersonNewcastle upon Tyne North, announced 4 July 2009[9]
  33. John HeppellNottingham East, announced 26 March 2010[39]
  34. Stephen HesfordWirral West, announced 23 January 2010[40]
  35. Patricia HewittLeicester West, announced 2 June 2009[41]
  36. Keith HillStreatham, announced 23 May 2007[42]
  37. Geoff HoonAshfield, announced 11 February 2010[43]
  38. Kim HowellsPontypridd, announced 18 December 2009[44]
  39. Beverley HughesStretford and Urmston, announced 2 June 2009[41]
  40. Joan HumbleBlackpool North and Fleetwood, announced 27 February 2010[45]
  41. John HuttonBarrow and Furness, announced 5 June 2009[46]
  42. Brian IddonBolton South East, announced 5 October 2006[47]
  43. Adam IngramEast Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, announced 27 March 2009[48]
  44. Lynne JonesBirmingham Selly Oak, announced January 2007[49]
  45. Martyn JonesClwyd South, announced 7 May 2009[50]
  46. Ruth KellyBolton West, announced 2 October 2008[51]
  47. Fraser KempHoughton and Washington East. announced 6 September 2008[52]
  48. Jane KennedyLiverpool Wavertree, announced 9 November 2009[53]
  49. Peter KilfoyleLiverpool Walton, announced 23 February 2010[54]
  50. Robert LaxtonDerby North, announced 19 October 2009[55]
  51. David LepperBrighton Pavilion, announced 19 September 2006[56]
  52. Tom LevittHigh Peak, announced 12 November 2009[57]
  53. Tommy McAvoyRutherglen and Hamilton West, announced 20 February 2010[58]
  54. Chris McCaffertyCalder Valley, announced 7 March 2007[59]
  55. Ian McCartneyMakerfield, announced 23 May 2009[60]
  56. John McFallWest Dunbartonshire, announced 29 January 2010[61]
  57. Rosemary McKennaCumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East, announced 3 August 2007[62]
  58. Andrew MacKinlayThurrock, announced 24 July 2009[63]
  59. Bob Marshall-AndrewsMedway, announced 17 July 2007[64]
  60. Eric MartlewCarlisle, announced 1 May 2009[65]
  61. Alan MilburnDarlington, announced 27 June 2009[66]
  62. Anne MoffatEast Lothian, de-selected 19 March 2010, announced 25 March 2010[8]
  63. Laura MoffattCrawley, announced 15 March 2010[67]
  64. Margaret MoranLuton South, announced 28 May 2009[68]
  65. Elliot MorleyScunthorpe, announced 29 May 2009[69]
  66. Kali MountfordColne Valley, announced 16 January 2009[70]
  67. Chris MullinSunderland South, announced 10 May 2008[71]
  68. Denis MurphyWansbeck, announced 5 November 2009[72]
  69. Doug NaysmithBristol North West, announced 26 January 2007[73]
  70. Edward O'HaraKnowsley South, defeated in selection for merged seat 26 April 2007 and not running as an independent[74]
  71. Bill OlnerNuneaton, announced 25 March 2007[75]
  72. Ian PearsonDudley South, announced 21 January 2010[76]
  73. Greg PopeHyndburn, announced 11 June 2009[77]
  74. Bridget PrenticeLewisham East, announced 6 April 2009[78]
  75. John PrescottHull East, announced 27 August 2007[79]
  76. James PurnellStalybridge and Hyde, announced 19 February 2010[80]
  77. Ken PurchaseWolverhampton North East, announced 27 October 2007[81]
  78. John ReidAirdrie and Shotts, announced 15 September 2007[82]
  79. Martin SalterReading West, announced 10 February 2009[83]
  80. Mohammad SarwarGlasgow Central, announced 21 June 2007[84]
  81. Siôn SimonBirmingham Erdington, announced 3 February 2010[85]
  82. Alan SimpsonNottingham South, announced 18 February 2007[86]
  83. John SmithVale of Glamorgan, announced 22 May 2009[87]
  84. Helen SouthworthWarrington South, announced 16 June 2009[88]
  85. Ian StewartEccles, defeated in selection for merged seat 19 January 2008[89]
  86. Howard StoateDartford, announced 28 July 2009[90]
  87. Gavin StrangEdinburgh East, announced 26 November 2007,[91] but reversed his decision 31 March 2008.[92] He announced on 27 June 2008 that he will stand down after all.[93]
  88. Paddy TippingSherwood, announced 23 October 2009[94]
  89. Mark ToddSouth Derbyshire, announced 21 September 2007[95]
  90. Don TouhigIslwyn, announced 29 January 2010[96]
  91. Paul TruswellPudsey, announced 8 July 2009[97]
  92. Des TurnerBrighton Kemptown, announced 23 October 2006[98]
  93. Neil TurnerWigan, announced 31 July 2009[99]
  94. Kitty UssherBurnley, announced 17 June 2009[100]
  95. Rudi VisFinchley and Golders Green, announced 28 May 2008[101]
  96. Alan WilliamsSwansea West, announced September 2006[102]
  97. Betty WilliamsConwy, announced 12 September 2008[103]
  98. Michael WillsNorth Swindon, announced 14 September 2009[104]
  99. Tony WrightCannock Chase, announced 21 July 2008[105]
  100. Derek WyattSittingbourne and Sheppey, announced 1 July 2009 [106]

Conservative

  1. Michael AncramDevizes, announced 11 August 2009[107]
  2. Peter AinsworthEast Surrey, announced 5 January 2010[108]
  3. Peter AtkinsonHexham, announced 19 June 2008[109]
  4. Tim BoswellDaventry, announced 31 March 2006[110]
  5. Angela BrowningTiverton and Honiton, announced 17 November 2006[111]
  6. Sir John ButterfillBournemouth West, announced 17 March 2008[112]
  7. Sir Patrick CormackSouth Staffordshire, announced 1 December 2009[113]
  8. David CurrySkipton and Ripon, announced 5 February 2009[114]
  9. Christopher FraserNorfolk South West, announced 28 May 2009[115]
  10. Paul GoodmanWycombe, announced 5 June 2009[116]
  11. John GreenwayRyedale, announced 28 November 2006[117]
  12. John GummerSuffolk Coastal, announced 30 December 2009[118]
  13. Douglas HoggSleaford and North Hykeham, announced 19 May 2009[119]
  14. John HoramOrpington, announced 12 October 2009[120]
  15. Michael HowardFolkestone and Hythe, announced 17 March 2006[121]
  16. Michael JackFylde, announced 14 March 2008[122]
  17. Robert KeySalisbury, announced 2 December 2009[123]
  18. Julie KirkbrideBromsgrove, announced on 28 May 2009 that she would stand down,[124] reversed her decision on 5 November,[125] then announced she would indeed stand down on 18 December[126]
  19. Jacqui LaitBeckenham, announced 21 September 2009[127]
  20. Sir Michael LordCentral Suffolk and North Ipswich, announced 12 September 2009[128]
  21. Andrew MacKayBracknell, announced 23 May 2009[129]
  22. David MacleanPenrith and The Border, announced 26 June 2009[130]
  23. Humfrey MalinsWoking, announced 16 March 2009[131]
  24. John MaplesStratford-on-Avon, announced 10 January 2010[132]
  25. Michael MatesEast Hampshire, announced 24 November 2006[133]
  26. Malcolm MossNorth East Cambridgeshire, announced 6 September 2007[134]
  27. Sir Michael SpicerWest Worcestershire, announced 24 March 2006[135]
  28. Richard SpringWest Suffolk, announced 23 November 2009[136]
  29. Anthony SteenTotnes, announced 20 May 2009[137]
  30. Ian TaylorEsher and Walton, announced 16 June 2009[138]
  31. Sir Peter ViggersGosport, announced 20 May 2009[139]
  32. Ann WiddecombeMaidstone and The Weald, announced 7 October 2007 [140]
  33. David WilshireSpelthorne, announced 15 October 2009[141]
  34. Sir Nicholas WintertonMacclesfield, announced 25 May 2009[142]
  35. Ann, Lady WintertonCongleton, announced 25 May 2009[142]

Liberal Democrats

  1. John BarrettEdinburgh West, announced 25 July 2009[143]
  2. Colin BreedSouth East Cornwall, announced 9 October 2007[144]
  3. David HowarthCambridge, announced 5 November 2009[145]
  4. Paul KeetchHereford, announced 16 November 2006[146]
  5. Mark OatenWinchester, announced 25 July 2006[147]
  6. Matthew TaylorTruro and St Austell, announced 17 January 2007.[148]
  7. Phil WillisHarrogate and Knaresborough, announced 18 May 2007.[149]

Other parties

Andrew Pelling (Croydon Central), who was elected as a Conservative but had the party whip withdrawn), announced on 4 December 2007 that he would not stand for re-election.[150] He was later reported to be reconsidering,[151] and on 30 March 2010 he confirmed that he would stand for re-election as an Independent candidate.[152]

  1. Derek Conway (Independent conservative; Conservative Party whip withdrawn) — Old Bexley and Sidcup, announced 30 January 2008[153]
  2. Eddie McGrady (Social Democratic and Labour Party) — South Down, announced 25 February 2010[154]
  3. Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party) — North Antrim, announced January 2008,[155] although it was speculated that he may have reversed his decision.[156] Paisley finally confirmed his intention to stand down on 2 March 2010.[157]
  4. Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) — Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, announced 18 September 2009[158]
  5. Alex Salmond MSP (Scottish National Party) — Banff and Buchan, announced 15 January 2006[159] (will remain an MSP)
  6. Clare Short (Independent; elected as Labour, resigned the whip 20 October 2006) — Birmingham Ladywood, announced 14 September 2006.[160][161]
  7. Robert Wareing (Independent; elected as Labour, deselected resigned the whip in October 2007) — Liverpool West Derby, announced 4 March 2010.[162]

Seats vacant

There are three seats in the House of Commons which were vacant when Parliament was dissolved on 12 April. In two cases, the Members concerned had previously indicated that they would be standing down at the general election.

  1. Ashok Kumar — (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Labour) died on 15 March 2010, having intended to fight his seat at the coming election.[163]
  2. Iris Robinson — (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party) had announced on 28 December 2009 that she would not seek re-election.[164] However subsequent events led her to resign her seat on 13 January 2010.
  3. David Taylor — (North West Leicestershire, Labour) had announced on 13 May 2008 that he would stand down at the general election,[165] but died on 26 December 2009.[166]

References

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