Introduction
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is grappling with an escalating departure of Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs) from his party, as Stephen Hammond has officially declared that he will not stand for re-election in the Wimbledon constituency.
Stephen Hammond’s Decision
Former Health Minister Stephen Hammond conveyed his decision to his local Conservative party on Thursday evening, marking a significant exit from the political scene. Taking to Twitter, he shared his thoughts: “I made the announcement that I will not be running for re-adoption as the Conservative candidate tonight at the annual general meeting of the newly formed Wimbledon and Malden. I shall be stepping down at the upcoming general election with a sad heart. I thank everyone who has supported me over the past 18 years for their support, and this is not a choice I have made lightly.”
Increasing Exodus
Stephen Hammond’s decision adds to a growing list of Conservative MPs who have either announced their intent not to run in the forthcoming election, expected to take place next year, or have already stepped down. According to a report from the Commons Library, approximately 50 Tories fall into this category. Prominent names on this list include former Chancellor Sajid Javid, ex-Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, George Eustice, former Environment Secretary, and Nadine Dorries, who has vacated her seat as MP for Mid-Bedfordshire, precipitating a by-election scheduled for October 19. Matt Hancock, formerly the Health Secretary and now an independent, also features among the departing MPs.
Future Departures Expected
As the next election draws near, it is anticipated that more Conservative MPs will follow suit and announce their decision not to seek re-election.
Stephen Hammond’s Political Journey
Mr. Hammond, who also served as a transport minister, was first elected as the MP for Wimbledon in May 2005. Positioned as a centrist MP, he opposed certain Brexit policies advocated by his party and experienced a temporary loss of the party whip at Westminster between September 4, 2019, and October 29, 2019.
Electoral Landscape
The Wimbledon constituency in southwest London has become a focus of attention for both the Liberal Democrats and Labour. Currently, the Liberal Democrats are considered the leading contenders to potentially unseat the Conservative Party, which trails behind Labour in national polls by approximately 20 points. In the 2019 election, Mr. Hammond narrowly held onto his seat with a majority of just 628 votes, securing 20,373 votes compared to Liberal Democrat Paul Kohler’s 19,745. Some experts estimate that MPs can build up a personal vote of around 1,000.
Historical Context
Before 2005, Labour held the Wimbledon seat, making it a historically significant battleground.
