MP Sir Graham Brady has announced he will be standing down at the next general election. The long serving MP for Altrincham and Sale West made the announcement today (March 7) saying it has been an 'immense privilege' to represent his hometown.
Sir Graham is one of the Conservative Party's most senior MPs as chair of the 1922 Committee of backbenchers, with it being his role to announce each new leader of the Conservative Party and presiding over the no confidence votes into Boris Johnson last year. Sir Graham was first elected to the seat in 1997 and won the seat in 2019 with a majority of just over 6,000 votes.
Sir Graham said in a statement to The Messenger Newspaper: "At the time of the next election, I will have served twenty-seven years as the Member of Parliament for Altrincham and Sale West winning seven General Elections and becoming the longest serving member in the constituency’s history. Representing my hometown in the House of Commons has been an immense privilege for which I will always be grateful.
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"My colleagues in the House of Commons have also given me the unique opportunity of chairing the 1922 Committee for longer than anyone else in its 100-year history. I will continue to serve until the end of the parliament, if they want me to.
"I will continue to do everything I can to support the Conservative cause and Rishi Sunak. He is bringing both stability and vision as Prime Minister.
"In 2024, I will campaign locally and nationally for the return of a Conservative Government, that is in the national interest and in the interests of my constituents. I will continue to work hard in the service of the residents of Altrincham and Sale West, offering my judgment and experience until the end of the parliament.
"I have decided to bring this fascinating and fulfilling chapter of my life to a close while I am young enough to pursue other opportunities and interests, so I will not be standing at the next election."
Sir Graham becomes the second Greater Manchester MP to announce they are standing down at the next election. William Wragg, Conservative MP for Hazel Grove, announced he would not be standing for re-election last year.
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