MP Percy confirms plan to run in election
THE NORTHERN Powerhouse minister Andrew Percy has put an end to speculation that he was preparing to step down as an MP by announcing he will seek re-selection for his Yorkshire and Lincolnshire seat.
The Tory MP raised questions about his plans to stand in the forthcoming snap General Election, after he issued a statement urging the country to vote for a strong Tory government “whether or not” he is part of it.
Had he resigned, the move would have been a serious blow to the powerhouse agenda, following the news that its key architect, the former chancellor George Osborne, is also stepping down.
However, the Brigg and Goole MP has since issued a fresh statement confirming he will seek readoption by his local Conservative branch and is confident the party can win the election.
“It is always important to take time out when ‘break points’ arrive in life and the decision of the PM to call a June election provided one of those,” Mr Percy states.
“With boundary changes abolishing this constituency for the 2020 election, I had already informed my constituency and parliamentary staff, and our local Conservative Association Chairman, that I would not therefore be seeking re-election in 2020.
“Obviously, last week changed all that but I still wanted to take time out to think about what to do for the future... I’ve thought a lot and I have concluded to seek re-adoption by the local Conservative Association to be their candidate for the election on June 8.”
The news came as fellow Tory MP Andrew Tyrie announced he will not run again in June.