Nicky Morgan says goodbye and thanks
MP writes special letter through the Echo
LOUGHBOROUGH MP Nicky Morgan who made the shock announcement that she had decided not to stand in the upcoming General Election has written a letter through the Echo thanking the people of the constituency for their support.
Mrs Morgan, has represented the town since 2010. But last week she was one of a number of MPs who announced they would not be seeking re-election when the country goes to the polls on December 12.
In the letter, which is printed in full inside, Mrs Morgan said: “May I, through the pages of the Loughborough Echo, thank all your readers for the opportunity to represent the Loughborough constituency in the House of Commons since May 2010.
“Being Loughborough’s MP has been the greatest privilege of my life.
“It is with sadness that I have decided not to stand here for election again. But for personal reasons it is the right time for me to move on and to spend more time with my very understanding family.
“I have loved meeting so many thousands of local residents – at Christmas Tree festivals, through local organisations, charities and businesses, in my surgeries and in Loughborough market, to name just a few places. Thank you for allowing me to share in your highs and lows.”
Loughborough Constituency Conservative Association chairman, Trevor Ranson, who has expressed his sadness, but understanding regarding Mrs Morgan’s decision, Echo told the that the association will now set about selecting a new candidate to fight the election.
Although the timetable is tight he said that he hoped to get a new person in place by early next week.
The association will choose from a limited number of candidates, from a Conservative Party approved national list.
The national party holds the list of approved candidates who can apply once a seat, such as Mrs Morgan’s, becomes available. Speaking last Thursday Mr Ranson said: “I think we will have it done in the next 10 days or so.”
THE news last week that Loughborough Conservative MP Nicky Morgan had decided not to stand in the upcoming General Election shocked many people in the area.
Mrs Morgan, who is the Culture Secretary, has represented the town since taking the seat off Labour in 2010.
But last week she was one of a number of MPs who announced they would not be seeking reelection when the country goes to the polls on December 12.
In a letter to Loughborough Constituency Conservative Association, chairman, Trevor Ranson, Mrs Morgan wrote “After nearly a decade as Loughborough’s MP and over 15 years as a local campaigner here, I have made the very difficult decision that I can’t commit to another five year term and now is the time for me to stand aside and be at home far more.
“Being Loughborough’s MP has been the greatest privilege of my life.
“Of course being an MP offers many fantastic opportunities. Apart from the wonderful people I meet daily and the fabulous organisations I work with, I have always believed that it is through politics that real and positive change can be made to our communities and country.
However she added: “The clear impact on my family and the other sacrifices involved in, and the abuse for, doing the job of a modern MP can only be justified if ultimately Parliament does what it is supposed to do – represent those we serve in all areas of policy, respect votes cast by the electorate and make decisions in the overall national interest.”
Following the announcement Loughborough Constituency Conservative Association, chairman, Trevor Ranson told the Echo: “It has been very fortunate to have Nicky as our MP.
“She has done a fantastic job. She has worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Loughborough and she’s also been a very good MP in Westminster. She has been very good in all the posts she has held.
“On my part I am sorry she won’t be continuing. We shall miss her, but I understand her reasons. It’s a very demanding job. It takes you away from your family.”
Mr Ranson said that the Loughborough Constituency Conservative Association will now set about selecting a new candidate to fight the election next month.
Although the timetable is tight he said that he hoped to get a new person in place by early next week.
The association will choose from a limited number of candidates from a Conservative Party approved national list.
The national party holds the list of approved candidates who can apply once a seat, such as Mrs Morgan’s becomes available.
Speaking last Thursday, Mr Ranson said: “I think we will have it done in the next 10 days or so.”
Labour’s parliamentary candidate for the upcoming election, Stuart Brady reacted to the news saying: “It is regrettable that Nicky Morgan has cited abuse against her and her family as a reason for standing down in Loughborough.
“I may have disagreed with the policies she supported, but being a Member of Parliament should not leave you open to abuse of any kind, and to see it play a role in driving someone out of politics is of deep concern. It is something that all politicians need to fight back against.”
As well as her present cabinet role in the Government Mrs Morgan has also served as: The chair of the Treasury Select Committee and was the Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities.
Born in 1972 she studied law at Oxford University and worked as a solicitor specialising in corporate law until her election win.