A survey for The Sunday Telegraph reveals that two-thirds of the Conservative Party's oldest MPs do not intend to stand down at the next General Election. The older MPs include Michael Mates, 72; Sir Peter Tapsell, 76; Sir Alan Haselhurst, 69; Bill Cash, 66; Richard Shepherd, 63; and Sir Patrick Cormack, 67. CCHQ had hoped for more retirements so that A-listers could be given plum seats. CCHQ will not push this issue too hard, however. During the last parliament the Notting Hill set's talk of bedblocking MPs caused outrage and threats of legal action. Many Tories worry that the party cannot afford to lose the parliamentary and ministerial experience of the older MPs.