27/08/2026
In just a few weeks’ time, the Chipping Barnet Conservatives will begin the process of choosing their candidate for the next general election. After careful reflection, I have decided not to put my name forward to be that candidate. Nor will I be applying to stand in other constituencies.
I believe the Conservatives have a great chance of regaining Chipping Barnet, but it is time to hand over to someone new to tackle that challenge.
I am grateful to Kemi Badenoch for having appointed me to the Conservative candidates list. I strongly back her leadership. I will continue to campaign energetically for the Conservative cause, in Barnet and beyond.
I would like to thank the Chipping Barnet Conservative Association for choosing me as their candidate in successive elections; and I thank the residents of Chipping Barnet for electing me five times to represent them in Parliament.
I feel immensely privileged to have been given the opportunity to serve the community in which I live as its MP, including over four years around the Cabinet table as Secretary of State.
Now I will be focusing on the writing and academic career (university teaching and research) to which I have returned after my stint in elected office. I am delighted to say that this will include research for an MPhil/PhD at UCL starting in October.