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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| General Election 2019: Ed Vaizey to stand down as MP | General Election 2019: Ed Vaizey to stand down as MP |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Ed Vaizey says he will not stand for re-election to focus on his passion for the arts and creative industries. | Ed Vaizey says he will not stand for re-election to focus on his passion for the arts and creative industries. |
| The former culture minister said the decision to stand down as an MP was "one of the hardest I have ever taken". | The former culture minister said the decision to stand down as an MP was "one of the hardest I have ever taken". |
| Mr Vaizey said he would "remain an enthusiastic supporter" of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. | Mr Vaizey said he would "remain an enthusiastic supporter" of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. |
| The MP for Wantage had the Conservative whip returned to him last month after losing it for backing efforts to block a no-deal Brexit. | The MP for Wantage had the Conservative whip returned to him last month after losing it for backing efforts to block a no-deal Brexit. |
| In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Mr Vaizey said he believed "now is the right time to move on". | In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Mr Vaizey said he believed "now is the right time to move on". |
| "I am passionate about the arts, our creative industries and technology and I want so specialise in these sectors", he added. | "I am passionate about the arts, our creative industries and technology and I want so specialise in these sectors", he added. |
| Mr Vaizey, who represented the constituency of Wantage since 2005, thanked Mr Johnson for returning the whip to him, "despite our temporary differences". | Mr Vaizey, who represented the constituency of Wantage since 2005, thanked Mr Johnson for returning the whip to him, "despite our temporary differences". |
| "I will be your friend and ally wherever I end up and whatever I may do", he added. | "I will be your friend and ally wherever I end up and whatever I may do", he added. |
| Bethan Nimmo, BBC Radio Oxford political reporter | Bethan Nimmo, BBC Radio Oxford political reporter |
| Ed Vaizey's political career has been bit of a rollercoaster lately. | Ed Vaizey's political career has been bit of a rollercoaster lately. |
| He had the Tory whip removed for voting against the government on Brexit in September - but he was suddenly welcomed back into the party at the end of last month as the general election loomed. | He had the Tory whip removed for voting against the government on Brexit in September - but he was suddenly welcomed back into the party at the end of last month as the general election loomed. |
| Now he's announced he won't be standing. That's likely to mean, despite Labour finishing second in Wantage in 2017, his former seat becomes a key target for the Liberal Democrats. | |
| They saw big gains in the area in the local election - gaining 22 seats in what was the previously Conservative stronghold of the Vale of White Horse. | They saw big gains in the area in the local election - gaining 22 seats in what was the previously Conservative stronghold of the Vale of White Horse. |
| In a very pro-remain area, where many are employed in science and research, the Tories may struggle to find a warm welcome for their promise to "get Brexit done". | In a very pro-remain area, where many are employed in science and research, the Tories may struggle to find a warm welcome for their promise to "get Brexit done". |
| Mr Vaizey previously served as culture minister in David Cameron's government and during the coalition years prior. | Mr Vaizey previously served as culture minister in David Cameron's government and during the coalition years prior. |
| After he was expelled along with 21 Tory MPs in September, he said would consider standing as an independent against an Tory candidate. | After he was expelled along with 21 Tory MPs in September, he said would consider standing as an independent against an Tory candidate. |
| The MPs were thrown out of the parliamentary party for backing legislation designed to stop the UK leaving the EU without a deal - the so-called Benn Act. | The MPs were thrown out of the parliamentary party for backing legislation designed to stop the UK leaving the EU without a deal - the so-called Benn Act. |
| But he was readmitted to the party with nine other rebels shortly before MPs backed the prime minister's plan to hold an early election on 12 December. | But he was readmitted to the party with nine other rebels shortly before MPs backed the prime minister's plan to hold an early election on 12 December. |
| Other Conservative figures who are leaving Parliament include Philip Hammond, Amber Rudd, Nicky Morgan, Rory Stewart and Margot James. | Other Conservative figures who are leaving Parliament include Philip Hammond, Amber Rudd, Nicky Morgan, Rory Stewart and Margot James. |