Another day, another Tory MP announcing that they are standing down. Tracey Crouch has this morning become the latest member of the 2010-vintage to declare that she will retire at the next election. In so doing, the Chatham and Aylesford backbencher becomes the 90th MP (and 57th Conservative) to announce she won’t be standing.
In her letter Crouch, who completed breast cancer treatment in 2021, writes that her reasons for for not wishing to stand are ‘entirely personal and positive’. Ahead of her 50th birthday next year, she says that:
We spend far too much time in our relatively short lives putting things off but at some point, you have to say to yourself if not now, when and for me I have realised that when is now… I turn 50 next year and a new adventure awaits. I have no idea yet what it entails and that is both exciting and scary but what I do know is that I will forever be grateful for my time in Parliament.
Boasting a majority of 18,540, the Kent constituency ought to remain blue at the next election, barring a near-complete wipe-out. In these trying times, it’s rare that a bonafide Conservative safe seat comes up for grabs. Good luck to all the lucky contenders. As for Crouch, Mr S wishes her well. But how many fellow incumbents will follow suit?
With Labour 20 points ahead, no-one wants to stand there looking like a loser come election night at the count…
Comments