MP Admits Fellow Tories Have "Checked Out"

Conservative MP Philip Dunne has said that some of his fellow MPs who are standing down at the next general election have already "checked out" – but insisted that he is not one of them.

Dunne is one of more than 100 MPs who have so far chosen to not stand again for their seats in the general election, which is due to be held by January. More than 72 of these MPs were elected as Conservatives in 2019. 

Although there has been speculation swirling around Westminster for months over whether an election could be held in spring or summer, the Prime Minister has repeatedly set out that he expects it to take place in the second half of the year – meaning MPs who have the end in sight could still have more than six months left in Parliament to represent their constituents.

However, some of them appear to already be actively preparing for their futures beyond polling day. PoliticsHome spoke to a Conservative MP last month who admitted that they had spent time earlier that day lining up job interviews, having already announced they will be standing down.

"There are a few MPs who have kind of checked out... I'm not one of those," Dunne said. 

"I think it's really important as MPs that they turn up to fulfill their responsibilities here. Just to give up is not what I'm doing, or what I think others should do."

However, Dunne said it was reasonable for some of his colleagues, particularly those who are significantly younger than him, to be thinking about how they can support themselves and their families going forwards – but that this had to be done while still carrying out their parliamentary duties.

"The reason I'm leaving is I would be 70 in the next Parliament," he said, in part explaining why he is happy to solely focus on completing