Retiring MPs

A couple of MPs, many representing fairly good majorities, have planned for some time to retire over the next few years. One of the consequences of the resent hype around the possibility of a general election was that some of them had delayed any announcement about their intention to stand down just in case they needed to stand again at short notice.

This morning, however, one sign that Brown has now no option to call an early election is the announcement that one MP will not be standing again, Ann Widdecombe.

Ann is a great Member of Parliament and popular with the Conservative Party. She has a personality that stands out among her fellow MPs and will be missed after the next election, whenever it may be.