Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay to Step Down
It has been confirmed that Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay is to step down at the next General Election. According to statement issued today his decision comes following a conversation with David Cameron this morning.
Andrew has been an excellent MP for Bracknell and I consider it a shame that he has found himself in this position. However, his position was untenable in the current climate. There will now be some keen competition for his Bracknell seat, which in normal circumstances would be considered safe.
I very much hope that his wife and Bromsgrove MP Julie Kirkbride will not be forced out as well.
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About Richard…
Richard is a Conservative Councillor on Reading Borough Council representing Peppard ward since 2007, having been re-elected in May 2011. He previously represented Thames ward from 2001 to 2004. He is currently the Conservative Shadow Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport on Reading Borough Council. Richard stood for Parliament in Sutton and Cheam in 2005 and from 2005-2008 was Chief of Staff to Rob Wilson MP (Reading East). He has a wide range of media appearances under his belt including Newsnight, Channel 4 News and BBC Radio.
If there is anything that you would like to contact Richard about please email rik_w07@ntlworld.com. All emails will be treated in confidence.
This is his personal blog and comments and articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conservative Party or Reading Borough Council.
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Sky News says MacKay will step down and repay a 6 figure sum.
He’s made the right decision.
Will Julie survive?
I suspect he will be one of a fair number of MPs that will find their positions untenable. The public want , and will get, their scalps.
Richard
Perhaps this is an opportunity for YOU to stand in Bracknell?
She is a different side to the same coin – of course she should go and your hesitation illustrates that, actually, you do not get it, even now.
Untenable in the current climate, Richard? Dangerously close to exonerating him, despite playing fast and loose with public money, like a common or garden benefit fraudster. The current climate is as it is for a reason!
Precisely Samuel—–This was no small ‘error’—this was cheating to a high degree. People who do this deserve all they get —hey that is our bloody money that he has been siphoning off!
And no I am not saying that because he is Conservative—-that are good and bad in all parties—and quite a few of the bad ones are in Gordon Brown’s cabinet!
The difference Howard is the top Labour cheats ( thieves if you like) are still there! DC is having a clearing of the decks. Good on him!
If you really analyse it all, Labour tops the polls.. in thieving I mean
Jazz–no problem with what DC is doing, I suspect that one of the reasons for Labour being slow to act is the fact that they expect to lose the next election anyway.
The public will sort out the issue with those that might survive to fight an election—look at Jacqui Smith for one—she only has a small majority—she must be a good bet to lose the seat now! She could spend some time with her other half watching some of those films!
julie Kirkbride is in deep trouble as well according to the News of the World over claims about her brother and his use of her house.
We shall have to wait and see for the outcome.
Would someone please tell me why this Peppard ward Councillor defending the indefensible again? How can Councillor Willis possibly consider it a shame that another political scam-artist has been forced to step down as though he was unable to control the circumstances surrounding his imminent departure! Both Mackay and Kirkbride have been exposed as having their snouts in the trough. They didn’t just wake up one morning to “find themselves in this position” as Cllr Willis says, rather they abused the system to full of their own volition.
It’s a big shit sandwich that the MPs made themselves. All offenders should quit whining at being caught and take a bite! The only reason Councillor Willis is defending Mackay and Kirkbride is because these are Conservative MPs, as if that washes away their sins! At least by his statements on this matter we know what kind of MP Councillor Willis would make.
Judging by Cllr Willis’ expenses published in an earlier post, he would make an EXCELLENT MP. Not a single penny claimed in additional expenses at all.
Where Cllr Willis is right is that in a less frenzied time than now MacKay would have had to resign as PPS and that would have been the end of it. MPs of all parties have disgraced themselves and perhaps we can now see the Home Secretary resigning followed by many of her Cabinet colleagues and the LDs who have sinned as well. I dont see Brown or Clegg doing anything much against their senior colleagues. At least Cameron has acted quickly and decisively.
Thank you Doodlebug! I have never claimed any expenses from the council Tax Payer as I felt that my personal costs of being a Councillor were covered by the (small) salary we receive. However, that is no criticism of colleagues who do claim legitimate expenses. Everyone has to act according to the rules and their conscience.
I published the full list of Reading Councillor expenses here – http://richardwillisuk.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/publishing-our-expenses-2
It is said that up to half of MPs elected at the forth coming general election will be new blood due to resignations,de-selections and electoral defeat.
I suggest that this can only be a good thing!
What I would like to know is how many will be facing fraud charges as some surely should, I suspect not very many, if any!
Mr Thomas – I agree that anyone who has broken the Parliamentary rules or defrauded the tax system should face further action. However, those who acted within the existing rules (however wrong they may look now) should not. We have a long standing principle in this country of not subjecting citizens to retrospective rule changes.
Richard
Would you include the likes of claiming for a mortgage that has already been paid off as ‘within the rules’?—–and thats just for a starter!
I would call it fraudulent—-would you?
Yes of course I would most certainly call it fraudulent.
Richard—Your comment that Samuel replied to seems to have disappeared!!—-was it on reflection a little too forgiving to Mr MacKay?
Mr Thomas – I have neither deleted nor amended any comments on this thread. Samuel seems to be responding to the main article.
Richard —you are quite right—my mistake!