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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Veteran MP announces retirement | Veteran MP announces retirement |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A veteran Conservative MP is to stand down at the next general election. | A veteran Conservative MP is to stand down at the next general election. |
| Michael Mates, 78, MP for East Hampshire was a Northern Ireland minister in John Major's government. | Michael Mates, 78, MP for East Hampshire was a Northern Ireland minister in John Major's government. |
| Mr Mates said the next general election "will be fought on new constituency boundaries. This change seems the right moment for me to slow down". | |
| During his 32-year career, he led the Conservative opposition to the poll tax and was part of the Butler Inquiry into the justification for the war in Iraq. | During his 32-year career, he led the Conservative opposition to the poll tax and was part of the Butler Inquiry into the justification for the war in Iraq. |
| 'Loyal support' | 'Loyal support' |
| The announcement was made to the East Hampshire Conservative Association - Mr Mates has held the East Hampshire seat (previously Petersfield) since 1974. | The announcement was made to the East Hampshire Conservative Association - Mr Mates has held the East Hampshire seat (previously Petersfield) since 1974. |
| Mr Mates said: "It has been a pleasure and an honour to serve in the House of Commons for the last 32 years as the Member first for Petersfield and then for East Hampshire. | Mr Mates said: "It has been a pleasure and an honour to serve in the House of Commons for the last 32 years as the Member first for Petersfield and then for East Hampshire. |
| "I am very grateful for the loyal support I have had from my electors over those years. | "I am very grateful for the loyal support I have had from my electors over those years. |
| "Meanwhile, I will of course be continuing to carry out my full duties as an MP until the end of this parliament." | "Meanwhile, I will of course be continuing to carry out my full duties as an MP until the end of this parliament." |