A record-breaking year for retiring MPs - possibly
I may be jumping the gun here, but with today's announcement by the Labour MP David Clelland that he is retiring at the next election, we now have roughly as many retirements (128) as in 1945, the previous record in modern times.
I say roughly because one can argue about the figures, and my colleagues in the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Political Research Unit still have the total on 127.
They don't include Iris Robinson, who actually stepped down last month, though there won't be a by-election in her seat of Strangford and they won't get a new MP until the general election.
Nor do they include David Taylor who died last month, having already announced his retirement, and again there will be no by-election.
On the other hand the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ list includes the ex-Tory independent Andrew Pelling who has told me more than once that he may contest the next election after all.
Anyway, with more than three months to go, we seem to be heading for around 150 retirements, almost a quarter of all MPs.
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
Comment number 1.
At 26th Jan 2010, barriesingleton wrote:MICHAEL - DO YOU READ THIS?
Westminster needs a serious shake-up. Lots of new faces (all pre vetted) will not do it. We need other weapons. I am calling for independents under my banner SPOIL PARTY GAMES but there is also the matter of an ABSTAIN vote.
I have been rebuffed by my MP and one other - both saying 'spoil your paper'. I suspect this is the Westminster Citadel protecting itself. Now - you are a born AGENT PROVOCATEUR Michael, why don't you ask all your MP contacts the simple question: "Would you support an abstention box on the voting slip" and report back? There y' go.
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Comment number 2.
At 27th Jan 2010, curiousman wrote:I totally agree with you BarrieSingleton. At the last MEP and local elections I wrote 'YOU DO NOT DESERVE MY VOTE' on my ballot paper.
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