About 42 Tories have already announced their departure in the next election. Telegraph analysis shows it is lower in the next election than at any time since Labor's victory in 1997, amid “disappointment” among those who should leave.
About 42 Tories have already announced their departure for the next election, Commons data shows that this is higher than at any time since the victory of Sir Tony Blair.
Other MPs are likely to follow suit as they could resign anytime before the election, which is widely expected next fall.
The latest “poll of polls” published by Politico last week showed that the Conservatives currently trailing Labor by about 20 points, meaning they have a mountain to climb if they are to win a record fifth term in a row.
While 75 Conservative MPs left before the 1997 general election, there were 22 in 2001 and 16 in 2005.
Most recently, when Theresa May called the ill-fated early election in 2017, only 16 senators, 41 more left before Boris Johnson's landslide in 2019.
0107 MP strike
One of the bench's seniors, who retired, admitted they were tired of the constant infighting and told The Telegraph that “there must be something more in life.”
“I guess I'm disappointed – I'm disappointed with this move. on the right, I am disappointed with everything that happened under Boris Johnson and it had long-term consequences,” they said.
“This is not really a reflection on the current prime minister, who really just deal with constantly exploding landmines that were planted by others.”
Asked if there was another way to win the Tories in the next election, they replied: “Yes, but this requires a government based on talent and abilities rather than placating the various factions.”
The desperation of some in Tory ranks has already made itself known publicly, including a riot against Rishi Sunak's revised Brexit deal and public criticism of the prime minister over record tax burdens and the decision to cut the fire of EU law.
The Tory circus. '
Another MP, due to leave next year, said their decision was partly shaped by the ongoing “circus” within the party and “uproar” against Mr. Sunak's leadership.
They claimed it was “getting harder and harder”. to balance the pressures of parliament with normal life, adding: “Social media is not helping – there is much more direct pressure on MPs. Some of what we're getting is downright disgusting.
“It seems [more MPs are resigning] and a lot of people are saying, 'I've done enough.'”
A third member of the bench, with more than 8,000 votes, said the fight to keep his seat would nonetheless be “exhausting” and predicted that “many more” would follow suit.
One former minister cabinet said the mood of some of their fellow MPs had never been lower and many regretted the decision to oust Johnson last summer.
Another senior figure told The Telegraph they still hadn't decided whether to push for re-election, and will probably reach a final decision in the autumn.
Senior MPs resign
The median age of Conservative MPs who have announced their resignation is 59, with a third of them under 50.
This is in contrast to the current state of affairs. among 14 Labor MPs planning to leave the House of Commons, with an average age of 70 and none under 60.
Among the senior party leaders not seeking re-election, the secretary, Chloe Smith, Secretary of Science, Innovation and Technology, and Sir Graham Brady, who had been chairman of the powerful Tory Committee in 1922 since David Cameron took office.
Sir Bill Cash joined last month , a veteran Eurosceptic and staunch supporter of Johnson, who resigned after the partygate privileges committee report.
Steve Russell, chairman of the Health and Welfare committee, also said he would not try to keep Winchester, in which has a Tory majority of just 985 and is a key target for the Liberal Democrats.
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