 "British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak talks to journalists on his plane as he travels from Northern Ireland to Birmingham during a day of campaigning on 24 May, 2024. AP")
High profile UK Members of Parliament (MP) Michael Gove and Andrea Leadsom have joined a record-breaking exodus of Conservative MPs from the UK House of Commons, further indicating the turmoil within the party ahead of the upcoming general election .
Gove, a central figure in Tory politics since 2005, and Leadsom, a prominent figure who nearly became party leader in 2016, both announced their departures, highlighting a significant shift in the party’s landscape.
Gove, in a letter posted on X, on Friday evening, stated it was time for a “new generation” to lead the party. He expressed his sentiments, saying, “The toll office can take, as do those closest to me … No one in politics is a conscript. We are volunteers who willingly choose our fate. And the chance to serve is wonderful. But there comes a moment when you know that it is time to leave. That a new generation should lead.”
Leadsom echoed similar thoughts in her letter to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, writing, “After careful reflection, I have decided not to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming election.”
This brings the total number of sitting Tories not seeking re-election to 78, surpassing the previous record of 72 set in 1997.
This number contributes to the overall 119 MPs standing down this election cycle, a figure that includes prominent names such as former UK Prime Minister Theresa May, former interim Labour leader Harriet Harman, and the controversial figure Matt Hancock.
Conservative struggles amid rising Liberal Democrat challenge
The looming UK general election, announced suddenly for 4 July , has prompted a rush of Conservative MPs declaring their intention to step down. By Wednesday evening, the number had already reached 70, and it continued to rise with Gove and Leadsom’s announcements.
The exodus appears to be driven by multiple factors, including strong challenges from opposition parties and internal party struggles.
Earlier on Friday, former UK cabinet ministers John Redwood and Greg Clark, representing home counties seats at risk of falling to the Liberal Democrats, also announced their departures.
The party’s woes were further highlighted by the symbolic return of the whip to Hancock and Bob Stewart, both of whom had previously declared their intentions to step down.
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Adding to the party’s difficulties, Sunak’s campaign faced several missteps . His visit to Belfast’s Titanic Quarter drew unfortunate comparisons to the famous liner’s sinking, with a reporter asking, “Are you captaining a sinking ship going into this election?”
This came after a series of campaign blunders, including being drowned out by Labour’s 1997 anthem “Things Can Only Get Better” during his Downing Street announcement and awkward interactions at campaign stops.
Impact on the UK political landscape
The mass departure of MPs paints a picture of a shifting political landscape, with the Conservative Party trailing significantly in the polls. The departure of seasoned MPs, coupled with younger members like Dehenna Davison and Nicola Richards leaving, suggests a party in crisis.
The number of MPs standing down this cycle bucks recent trends. In 2019, 74 MPs stepped down, compared to just 31 in 2017 and 90 in 2015. The 2010 election saw 149 MPs leave, many due to the expenses scandal. However, this year’s departures are not linked to any specific scandal but rather a broader sense of disillusionment and strategic retreat ahead of a challenging election, reported BBC.
Former Prime Minister Theresa May, in her valedictory speech, reflected on her time in office, stating, “Being an MP is the best job in the world despite its frustrations… It particularly has its frustrations when you’re in parliament and people don’t vote on your own side for your own legislation – three times,” referencing her Brexit defeats.
Harriet Harman, the longest-serving female MP, echoed this sentiment, saying, “The House of Commons records show that I’ve spoken in this chamber 9,880 times. But I have to say that when you discover the prime minister was only two years old when you were first elected, you realise it is time to move on.”
As the election approaches, the significant number of incumbents stepping down could play a crucial role in the result. Incumbent MPs traditionally have a political advantage due to name recognition and established voter bases, making this mass exodus particularly impactful for the Conservative Party.
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The departures also include notable figures such as former Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, COP26 President Alok Sharma, and former UK Foreign Secretary Dame Margaret Beckett from Labour, reflecting a broad reshuffling of the political deck ahead of a pivotal election.
(With inputs from agencies)