Another plum seat will soon be looking for a new Conservative MP following tonight's announcement from Michael Mates MP that he won't contest his East Hampshire seat again - a seat with a projected majority of 7,195.
The former Northern Ireland Minister will be best remembered for his early opposition to the poll tax, for helping Michael Heseltine to end Margaret Thatcher's premiership and for his relationship with Asil Nadir.
This is the second major retirement announcement in one week. Angela Browning announced her decision to stand down last Friday.
