MP to step down after more than 30 years
Bosworth MP David Tredinnick says he will not fight next election
BOSWORTH MP David Tredinnick has announced he will be stepping down as an MP after more than 30 years in parliament.
The Tory veteran will not seek re-election at the next General Election when one is called.
The 69-year-old said it is timeme for a younger candidate to take his place.ce.
Mr Tredinnick’s departure is likely to trigger a scramble among Tories seeking a route into the House of Commonsns wanting to defend the 18,351 Conservative nservative majority.
Local Conservatives believe there could be “dozens, if not hundreds of applications” from potential successors.
Mr Tredinnick was first elected in 1987 and has held his seat seven times.
He has served on Parliament’s health select committee and science and technology committee.
He said: “It’s possible there will be an early General Election and I want to give my association a lot of time to find the right candidate.
“I’m not going to say anything about who that should be, but I’m glad I have been able to make it a seat that people will take an interest in.
“It’s time to make way for a younger candidate with new ideas. I can’t predict the future but what I can say it that as a member of parliament, I have provided a safety net for a lot of people.
“I hope that I have changed lives for the better.”
He pointed to his work in securing investment for Horiba MIRA and the £8 million healthcare investment for Hinckley announced last year as successes of his time in office.
Mr Tredinnick said he was not yet sure what he would do after stepping down
“I’ll obviously carry on until the election and then… I’ll probably have a bit of time out.”
The MP has attracted criticism over the years for his long-standing advocacy of alternative medicines, homeopathy and his belief in astrology.
He was briefly suspended from Parliament in 1995 after a newspaper investigation into cash for questions.
In 2006 it was revealed he had pur- chased £775 of astrology software on expenses. He apologised and repaid the money. Mr Tredinnick said: “With the country facing new challenges after Brexit it will be the right time for my constituency to have a new MP.
“I have loved looking after a population of 100,000 people and knowing that when they needed help with anything they were able to come to me.”
Chairman of the Bosworth Conservative Association and Leicestershire county councillor Peter Bedford said: “On behalf of the association I’d like to thank David for his hard work over the last 32 years and wish him all the best for the future.”
Coun Bedford, who is himself on the Conservative candidates list, said: “Because of the majority David has earned we know there will be a lot of interest in the seat.
“We will have dozens if not hundreds of applications.
“CCHQ will have a view on who the candidates will be and will set out the timetable for selection but the association will have an input.
“If I choose to apply I’ll have nothing to do with the vetting, shortlisting or selection process.”
When long-standing Tory MPs Andrew Robathan and Sir Edward Garnier recently stood down from their respective South Leicestershire and Harborough seats, local hopefuls were passed over by candidates from outside the area.
It is possible the London-based Conservative Party will parachute in a highprofile candidate.