Boris Johnson’s outdated seat of Henley is vacated by sitting Tory MP

A Tory MP has confirmed he won’t search re-election within the seat as soon as held by Boris Johnson – and which studies counsel the previous prime minister might search out sooner or later for a “safer” run for parliament.

John Howell, who represents Henley, has change into the most recent Conservative MP to substantiate they won’t stand as a celebration candidate within the subsequent basic election, which may happen no later than January 2025.

Mr Howell turned the MP for Henley in 2008 when Mr Johnson vacated the seat to change into London mayor that 12 months.

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There have been studies that Mr Johnson – who’s presently awaiting verdict from parliament’s privileges committee over whether or not he misled MPs over partygate – may search to run once more in his former seat, which is safer than the one he presently holds in Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

In a social media submit on Tuesday, Mr Howell wrote: “By the time of the end of the next parliament I will be coming up towards my mid-70’s.

“I don’t need to be in parliament till that point as I wish to pursue different avenues. I’m a powerful supporter of Rishi Sunak and I hope that the South Oxfordshire Conservative Association will proceed to get behind him.”

Last month Mr Johnson was reselected because the Conservative candidate for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, which he has held since 2015.

Mr Johnson’s spokesperson sought to dampen hypothesis about Henley by pointing to his latest reselection lead to Uxbridge.

“Boris Johnson is standing in Uxbridge and South Ruislip at the next general election and was recently reselected as the Conservative candidate there,” they advised Sky News.

However, Mr Johnson’s future because the constituency’s MP is way from sure.

At the final basic election, Mr Johnson retained the seat with a majority of seven,210 and an elevated vote share of 52.6% after dipping in reputation within the 2017 election.

However, Mr Howell presently enjoys a majority of 14,053 votes – almost double that earned by Mr Johnson in 2019.

Labour has additionally made Uxbridge considered one of its high targets on the subsequent election, with Danny Beales, a neighborhood councillor in Camden, north London, chosen to take Mr Johnson on.

If parliament’s privileges committee finds that Mr Johnson did mislead MPs – one thing he has strenuously denied – it may suggest a suspension from the House of Commons of 10 days of extra, which may set off a recall petition.

If 10% of voters in his Uxbridge constituency signal the petition he may lose his job as an MP as a by-election must happen.

During the committee’s questioning final month, Mr Johnson insisted “hand on heart” that he didn’t lie about guidelines and steerage being damaged in Downing Street and insisted the statements he made to the Commons have been made in “good faith” and primarily based on assurances from senior employees.

He additionally defended gatherings that he attended – 5 in whole – claiming leaving dos and thanking employees was “absolutely essential for work purposes”.

Read extra:
Partygate inquiry: What subsequent for Boris Johnson?
Boris Johnson re-selected to run in Uxbridge at subsequent basic election after recommendations of safer seat

But the committee raised considerations he might not have sought “proper advice” about whether or not rules had been adopted earlier than making speeches on the dispatch field.

And in an interim report revealed on 3 March, the committee mentioned the proof strongly prompt breaches of coronavirus guidelines in No 10 would have been “obvious” to Mr Johnson.

The cross-party committee of MPs has not given a transparent timeline for when it would conclude its investigation, however a spokesperson mentioned it “reserves the right to request further oral evidence from witnesses in the course of the inquiry” – together with from the previous PM – that means there could possibly be additional classes with Mr Johnson earlier than a conclusion is reached.

Other Conservatives who’ve confirmed they’re standing down on the subsequent election embrace former chancellor and Tory management contender Sajid Javid, former Tory MP and well being secretary Matt Hancock and former tradition secretary Nadine Dorries.