TORY EXODUS
Cabinet minister Nicky Morgan dramatically stands down as an MP due to abuse hurled at her
CABINET minister Nicky Morgan became the latest MP to dramatically quit last night blasting the abuse hurled at her.
The Culture Secretary said she would not put up with the strain her job puts on her family any more.
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Her shock resignation came after fellow big beasts and Amber Rudd and David Lidington also stood down in the mass exodus of MPs.
Announcing the news online, Mrs Morgan said being an MP had been “the greatest privilege of my life”.
The mother-of-one added: “But the clear impact on my family and the other sacrifices involved in, and the abuse for, doing the job of a modern MP can only be justified if, ultimately, Parliament does what it is supposed to do.”
She said this is to “represent those we serve in all areas of policy, respect votes cast by the electorate and make decisions in the overall national interest”.
She is one of nearly 60 MPs who are not standing for re-election on December 12 as Westminster undergoes a big clean out ahead of the crunch Brexit election.
Earlier in the day, Ms Rudd announced she was standing down as MP for Hastings and Rye.
SHOCK RESIGNATION
And she became embroiled in an extraordinary public row with No10 over her resignation, claiming the PM had personally asked her to stay on as an MP.
The former Cabinet minister quit the Tory parliamentary party eight weeks ago in fury at the sacking of 21 rebels who had voted to delay Brexit
She announced she was standing down but made it clear she wanted to have the Tory whip restored.
But a withering letter made public, Tory chief whip Mark Spencer refused.
He wrote: “You were clear that you did not support the approach of the PM and did not have confidence in him.
“I take the view that the receipt of the whip is an honour, not a right and as such it cannot be discarded or returned at will if it is to have any meaning.”
But the fuming former Home Secretary hit back on Twitter, claiming Boris had asked her to stand again in the December 12 election.
She raged: “Funny thing really, as just last week the PM asked me to stand in the general election.”
TORY EXODUS
Tory former ministers David Lidington, Patrick McLoughlin and Mims Davies are among the 32 current and former Tory MPs quitting.
While former Labour leadership contender Owen Smith is one of 20 of the party’s MPs standing down.
Remainer rebel ringleaders Oliver Letwin and Nick Boles are also quitting.
MOST READ IN POLTIICS
In a parting shot at Mr Johnson, outgoing Tory grandee Keith Simpson warned Boris he might end up losing No10 because of the exodus.
He stormed: “So many good colleagues from One Nation standing down with Liders, Sir Patrick, Alan Duncan and now Nicky Morgan.
“Boris may get back some Brexiteer Tory and Labour voters but he is losing the Liberal Conservatives. How not to get a majority.”
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Nicky Morgan laughed at during teachers' union conference speech
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