General election: Tory Brexit rebel and ex-minister Margot James to stand down as MP

‘I needed to bring the three-and-a-half year conflict between the result of the referendum in my constituency, and my own view of where the future interests of the country lie to a close’

Margot James, the former minister of culture who lost the Conservative whip after rebelling over Brexit, has said she will not stand in the general election.

The Stourbridge MP was one of the 21 Tory rebels who were kicked out of the party after backing a plan to take control of the Commons timetable to pass legislation to block a no-deal Brexit.

She was reinstated to the party last week after a meeting with Boris Johnson.

First elected in 2010, Ms James told the Stourbridge News there was a “conflict” between her views on the future interests of the country and those of her constituents.

She told the paper: “I was very pleased to receive the whip back and I wanted to continue in parliament. It was only after a period of reflection that I realised that I needed to bring the three-and-a-half year conflict between the result of the referendum in my constituency, and my own view of where the future interests of the country lie to a close.”

Ms James overturned a 407 vote majority to take the Labour held seat in 2010, increasing it to 5,164 in the 2015 general election.

She was returned with a larger majority in the 2017 poll, becoming a minister for digital and creative industries in January 2018.

Ms James is among dozens of MPs retiring at this election, with the list including members who have been in the Commons as far back as the Seventies.

Among the Labour departures, Ronnie Campbell has been MP for Blyth Valley since 1987, Ann Clwyd has represented Cynon Valley since 1984, Kevin Barron has been MP for Rother Valley since 1983, and Geoffrey Robinson has represented Coventry North West since 1976.

Conservative departures include Patrick McLoughlin, an MP since 1986, and Sir Nicholas Soames, an MP since 1983.

Ken Clarke is leaving the Commons after representing Rushcliffe since 1970.