Tory Departures Mount as Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris Confirms He Will Not Contest Next Election

Chris Heaton-Harris, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has decided not to run in the upcoming general election. He is part of a growing number of Conservative members who have opted not to seek re-election.

By Claire Gilbody Dickerson, journalism correspondent

Saturday, May 18, 2024, 11:

Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland Secretary, has announced that he will not seek re-election in the upcoming general election, though he intends to continue his support for the Conservative Party.

In a message shared on X on Saturday evening, Mr. Heaton-Harris informed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that after a 24-year long career in politics, he felt honored and privileged to have served.

He expressed gratitude towards the residents of Daventry, Mr. Sunak, and past Conservative leaders like Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss for placing their confidence in him.

Chris Heaton-Harris, the current Northern Ireland secretary, appointed in September 2022, expressed his ongoing political passion by stating, "My roots are in campaigning, and I plan to actively campaign for the @Conservatives in the upcoming election. We remain the sole party with a proven track record of delivering for all regions of the United Kingdom."

He becomes part of a wave of Conservative lawmakers who have declared their plans to exit Parliament at the upcoming general election.

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Over 100 members of Parliament from various parties have announced their decision not to seek re-election.

A variety of lawmakers have declared their plans to step down from parliament, including Labour's Harriet Harman, the most seasoned female MP, and Dehenna Davison, a Conservative MP who was first elected in the recent 2019 elections.

Among the over 60 Conservative MPs not seeking re-election, notable figures such as ex-cabinet members Ben Wallace, Sajid Javid, Dominic Raab, and Kwasi Kwarteng are included.

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In March, 67-year-old Mrs. May announced her tough choice to retire from Parliament after serving the Maidenhead constituency for 27 years.

The final potential date for a general election is Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

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