Hammond is latest big name to walk away as election campaign starts

As campaigning for December's British general election finally got under way, Philip Hammond, chancellor under former prime minister Theresa May, announced he wouldn't seek reelection to Parliament after a series of clashes with Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the issue of Brexit.

Hammond, who had represented the seat of Runnymede and Weybridge for 22 years and won almost 61 percent of the vote in the 2017 last election, had his post as the Conservative whip withdrawn in October after he opposed leaving the European Union without a deal.

He said he was "saddened" at being forced to stand down but he would have his party membership taken away if he stood against an official Conservative candidate.

"I will remain as a party member and I will continue to make the case for doing whatever is necessary to deliver a negotiated close future trade and security partnership between the UK and the EU," he wrote in a letter to constituents.

The announcement came as Johnson went to Buckingham Palace to officially inform Queen Elizabeth of the upcoming election, the country's first December election in almost 100 years. Hammond was just the latest Conservative to announce he or she would not seek reelection. Notably, several female Conservative MPs are quitting with plenty of time left in their careers.

Former British education secretary Justine Greening, another Brexit rebel, has walked away from her seat at age 50, saying she can "achieve more positive change outside Parliament".

Amber Rudd, home secretary in May's government, is quitting at age 56. Also retiring, Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan, 47, cited "the other sacrifices involved in and the abuse for doing the job of a modern MP".

julian@mail.chinadailyuk.com

(China Daily 11/07/2019 page11)