Jonathan Evans will stand down as MP for Cardiff North in 2015

By Peter Hoskin
_{Follow Peter on Twitter}

It has just been announced that the Conservative Party’s Jonathan Evans — who won the seat of Cardiff North in 2010, after being the MP for Brecon and Radnorshire between 1992 and 1997 — is to stand down at the next election. We at ConservativeHome wish him all the best for the future. Here is the statement he made to his local constituency association:

“It is now 40 years since I was first selected at the age of 22 as a Conservative parliamentary candidate against the late Michael Foot. Twenty one years ago I was first elected to the House of Commons and I have altogether fought nine parliamentary election campaigns at Westminster and European elections since 1974. By the time of the next election in 2015 I will have served for two decades in the House of Commons and in the European Parliament in Brussels.

I have been honoured by the support I have received from voters in Cardiff North, Brecon & Radnor and throughout Wales during the course of my political career. This outstanding support has given me the opportunity to serve in Parliament, in government, as Leader of the Conservatives in Europe, and as Head of the European Parliament’s relations with the United States Congress.

It is a difficult decision to stand down from public life, but with the introduction of fixed term parliaments, we now know that the next Parliamentary term is likely to run until 2020, and that is a commitment which is I believe is too lengthy for me to make.

I want to assure my constituents that I will continue to work hard for them through to the next General Election in 2015.”

And here is the tribute paid to him by David Jones, Secretary of State for Wales:

“Jonathan Evans has been a dedicated Member of Parliament to his constituency of Cardiff North and I know that as the Welsh MP with the highest parliamentary attendance he will continue to serve them up until the general election in 2015.

He has had a fantastic career serving in both the House of Commons and the European Parliament, as well as being a minister in the DTI, Lord Chancellor’s Department and the then Welsh Office. I understand his reasons for standing down in 2015 and wish him well with all his future endeavours."

And by the Chairman of the Welsh Conservative Party, Cllr Jeff James:

"Jonathan has devoted much of his adult life to public service and has spent a great deal of this time representing the people of Wales as an MP, MEP and Government Minister. Jonathan’s retirement at the next election will be a loss to the world of politics, and whilst I and many others will be disappointed that Jonathan will not be a candidate for our Party at the General Election in 2015, I fully appreciate that he considers that this is the right time for him to step down from the House of Commons.

As Chairman of the Welsh Conservative Party I would like to thank Jonathan on behalf of all our members for his years of service and commitment to the Party.”