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MP set to retire at next election MP set to retire at next election
(1 day later)
Conservative MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Sir Michael Lord will retire at the next general election, he has announced.Conservative MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Sir Michael Lord will retire at the next general election, he has announced.
Sir Michael has been a MP for Suffolk since 1983 and a Deputy Speaker in the House of Commons since 1997. Sir Michael has been an MP for Suffolk since 1983 and a Deputy Speaker in the House of Commons since 1997.
In a statement he did not say why he was retiring, but added that he was sad to do so.In a statement he did not say why he was retiring, but added that he was sad to do so.
Sir Michael had been a contender for the new Speaker of the House of Commons but lost out to John Bercow.Sir Michael had been a contender for the new Speaker of the House of Commons but lost out to John Bercow.
Sir Michael said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Member of Parliament and considered it a huge privilege and honour to have served the people in Suffolk.Sir Michael said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Member of Parliament and considered it a huge privilege and honour to have served the people in Suffolk.
"I will be sad to retire but feel that now is the right time to make the announcement to allow my successor to be selected and become known to the constituents."I will be sad to retire but feel that now is the right time to make the announcement to allow my successor to be selected and become known to the constituents.
"When I leave the House of Commons I will particularly miss my constituency work which I have always found extremely rewarding and which has enabled me to help thousands of my constituents over the years.""When I leave the House of Commons I will particularly miss my constituency work which I have always found extremely rewarding and which has enabled me to help thousands of my constituents over the years."