Controversial Tory MP, Nadine Dorries, who is the MP for Mid-Bedfordshire and covers several Bedford Borough wards, has announced she won’t stand at the next general election.
She made the announcement in a clip released ahead of her next TalkTV show, which will be broadcast tonight (Friday).
The former culture secretary is a staunch supporter of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and has been a vocal critic of Rishi Sunak and his government since he entered No 10.
In her statement, Ms Dorries said: “Those MPs who drank the Kool-Aid and got rid of Boris Johnson are already asking themselves the question: who next?
“And I’m afraid that the lack of cohesion, the infighting and occasionally the sheer stupidity from those who think we could remove a sitting prime minister, who secured a higher percentage of the vote share than Tony Blair did in 1997, just three short years ago…
“That they could do that and the public would let us get away with it. I’m afraid it’s this behaviour that I now just have to remove myself from.
“And so, despite it being a job that I’ve loved for every year that I’ve done it, I’m now off. Oh gosh, I’ve just said it out loud, there’s no going back now.”
The Guardian reports she has previously rejected claims that she would stand down from her safe seat to make way for Johnson, who faces a struggle holding on to his Uxbridge constituency, as “100% nuclear grade tosh”.
Nadine Dorries has announced she will be standing down as an MP at the next General Election on her new TalkTV show, Friday Night with Nadine
Watch Friday at 8pm only on TalkTV.@NadineDorries | #TalkTV pic.twitter.com/Vnqm22EYOL
— TalkTV (@TalkTV) February 9, 2023
Conservative colleague, Richard Fuller MP (North-East Bedfordshire), said Ms Dorries will be missed.
“Nadine has been a wonderful colleague and I am very sorry to hear that she will not be standing again at the next election. Since being first elected in 2005, Nadine has increased her share of the vote from 46% to 60%,” said Mr Fuller.
“She has been a great friend and, even as a Minister, Nadine has always been willing to find time to work with me on local issues or to give me valuable political advice.
“In a world of spin, Nadine has always spoken clearly about her views. Her forthrightness has attracted criticism which has sometimes descended into misogyny or abuse. I applaud Nadine for her courage and resilience over many years.
“She will be missed. I wish her well,” he said.
Cllr Graeme Coombes (Wilshamstead), leader of Bedford Borough Conservatives, added: “Nadine’s decision to stand down at the next election does not come as a huge surprise and has been much anticipated since she left the Cabinet last year.
“As MP for Mid-Bedfordshire, she has developed a national profile with her forthright and combative opinions.
“I wish Nadine well for the future and look forward to finding a new candidate to carry the Conservative banner in Mid-Bedfordshire at the next election.”
Accused of breaking ministerial code
Ms Dorries has been accused by Parliament’s anti-corruption watchdog of breaking the ministerial code by not consulting it before taking her job with TalkTV.
Talk TV’s listings describe her show, Friday Night with Nadine, as the ‘former cabinet minister and sitting Conservative MP Nadine Dorries presents her take on the week with a wide-ranging mix of topical guests from the world of politics, culture and sport.’
In a statement ahead of its launch last week (3 February) it promised, “an irreverent look at the week’s news and a lively mix of topical chat with guests from the world of politics, culture and sport”.
As reported by the BBC, Lord Pickles, chair of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), said it was informed of her decision to take up the role on Friday.
“Failing to seek and await advice” was a breach of the rules, he told her.
In a separate letter to Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden, Lord Pickles recommended that “given the transparent nature” of the role, it would be “disproportionate to take any further action in this case”.
However, he added that the case was a “further illustration of how out of date the government’s rules are”.
Under the current rules, the Mid Bedfordshire MP should have sought clearance from Acoba for any new employment or appointments she takes on within two years of leaving ministerial office.
Lord Pickles told Ms Dorries that “the risks under the rules in these types of appointments are usually limited”.
He said that “had you approached Acoba in good time before agreeing to the 26-week contract… it would have allowed us to advise you appropriately in advance”.
The Cabinet Office is expected to respond to the letter in due course.
Ms Dorries, who has held the Mid-Bedfordshire seat since 2005 and retained her seat in 2019 with a more than 24,000 majority, is also a successful author of romantic historical novels.
She also had a short-lived appearance on I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here in 2012 before being voted off after being unable to impress viewers in a bush tucker trial.
She is currently writing a book about the political downfall of former PM Boris Johnson.
The Bedford Independent approached Ms Dorries’ office for comment but received no reply.
