Eddisbury MP Edward Timpson has today confirmed his decision not to stand at the next general election.
Mr Timpson won the Eddisbury seat in 2019 from former Conservative MP Antoinette Sandbach who defected to the Liberal Democrats after disagreeing with Boris Johnson’s government over Brexit.
Prior to that, Mr Timpson was the Crewe and Nantwich MP, having won a by-election in 2008. He lost the Crewe and Nantwich seat in 2015 to Labour’s Laura Smith.
Speaking about his decision to step away from being an MP, Mr Timpson said he was proud of the legacy of his work.
He said: “I am extremely proud to have been able to represent the Eddisbury constituency, in which I have lived since I was 14, and I have been grateful that this has given me the opportunity to make a difference locally in a number of ways.
“These include being able to give direct help to constituents in over 17,000 cases since I became their member of Parliament, as well as being active in my support of farmers and local businesses, broadband roll-out representing a 50% improvement, and working to secure the future of one of our local hospitals for rural care services.
“I have also been fortunate enough to make a contribution to our national life as the longest-serving minister for children and families, and as Her Late Majesty’s last solicitor general: improving the lives of care leavers, disadvantaged school pupils, children with special educational needs, and the safeguarding of children and victims of crime nationwide.
“However, I turn 50 this year, and want to use this opportunity to both draw on my family law practice prior to my election, and my children and families legislative and law officer work in government, to return in part to legal practice, but also advocacy roles for vulnerable children and families.”
He received praise from former prime minister David Cameron, who commented: “15 years ago I had the pleasure of campaigning for Edward when he won his seat in Parliament against a backdrop of Gordon Brown letting down the most vulnerable people in our society.
“Edward has spent those 15 years keeping his promise to support these people, both in Cheshire, and as the longest-serving and most-respected minister for children and families ever: raising the age of care leavers to 21, introducing the Pupil Premium Plus, and bringing in much-welcomed reforms in special educational needs, social work, and child safeguarding.
“True to form, Edward is taking his family’s passion for children and families that drove him into family law—together with all he has learned about how to achieve real change in Government—back to advocate on their behalf, and go further still.
“Westminster needs to retain the skills and advice of specialists like Edward, and the Conservative Party does too—particularly in an area where we are not famed for being as strong as he is.
“I know we won’t have seen the last of him.”
Chair of Eddisbury Conservative Association, Phillip Posnett said: “Both Eddisbury and the Conservative Party were extremely fortunate that Edward stepped back up and returned to Parliament in 2019, making great strides in broadband coverage, bus connectivity, and supporting our farming community post-Brexit—but also improving the rights of victims of crime nationwide when he served as solicitor general.
“Whilst it is always sad to lose a good member of Parliament, I am delighted that Edward will be taking that and his children and families policy experience back to the law, using it as a base from which to advocate further for society’s most vulnerable.
“I know that Cheshire, Westminster and the Conservative Party will be able to continue to count on his support and advice in the future, and we wish him well.”
Mr Timpson will remain in office until the next general election, and his constituents can continue contact him as usual through www.edwardtimpson.com/contact if they require support.
Photo: Ben Stevens / Parsons Media Limited