Croydon South MP Richard Ottaway to stand down at 2015 General Election
CROYDON South MP Richard Ottaway will be standing down at the next General Election, he has announced tonight.
The 67-year-old confirmed he'd be retiring from parliamentary politics at the 2015 election during a Tory party meeting at Christ Church, in Purley, this evening (Friday).
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STANDING DOWN: Richard Ottaway
Mr Ottaway's move has already sparked specualtion about his successor in the safe Conservative seat, with Mayor of London Boris Johnson among those rumoured to be in the frame, as he looks for a route back into Westminster politics.
Croydon GLA member and Kenley councillor Steve O Connell is also sure to be in the frame.
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Mr Ottaway tonight told Conservative Party members: "Serving the Croydon South constituency for more than two decades has been an immense privilege. I have been lucky to work alongside excellent colleagues and residents who care so deeply about this great neighbourhood.
"Whether helping individuals resolve issues on health, education or housing, or campaigning successfully for major projects including the Coulsdon Bypass, the modernisation of Purley Hospital and the Cane Hill redevelopment – I love every minute of my job.
"But I feel now is the right time to call it a day. I would like to spend time with my family and enjoy my hobbies while I still can."
Mr Ottaway, a former naval officer, is also the chairman of the Commons' Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
He has represented Croydon South since 1992, having previously been the MP for Nottingham North from 1983-87.
Mr Ottaway faced criticism during the MP expenses scandal of 2009, when it was revealed he was claiming second home expenses for a house in Surrey - despite owning two London flats.
But despite the furore, he was re-elected in the following year's General Election - with an increased majority.
Mr Ottaway has promised it will be business as usual until the 2015 election.
He said: "Today is far from the end of the road for me – there's plenty of important work to be getting on with in Parliament and in my constituency.
"I will be working at full speed, right up to the general election when I hope David Cameron will be re-elected as Prime Minister of a Conservative government. He's the right man to be leading the party and the country."
In August, the Advertiser reported how the Tories were said to be looking at Croydon South, along with two seats in Surrey, as potential constituencies to parachute London mayor Johnson into, as he looks for a route back into the Commons.
And, in the wake of Mr Ottaway's announcement, several political commentators have already taken to Twitter, linking Mr Johnson with the seat which currently has a majority of nearly 16,000.
Who would you like to see as the next MP for Croydon South? E-mail newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk or leave your comments below.
Comments
by jackhall1
Monday, October 29 2012, 3:21PM
“if ottaway is retiring he must have had a very lucrative offer he is not going to give up his perks of office lightly ie living on expenses foreign junkets including first class travel for two five star accomodation handy insider information car allowance and anything else going free probably a non job in europe at least a knighthood jackhall”
by dave1152
Sunday, October 28 2012, 8:54AM
“Good. I have written to him a number of times and the replies are a cut and paste from press releases. Hopless”
by LAFANTASTICA
Saturday, October 27 2012, 9:48PM
“Lovely MP - I shall miss him.”
by purleymag
Saturday, October 27 2012, 8:31PM
“Party politics aside, the thing I'll remember most about Rotaway is how he lived outside the constituency and had his flats in Westminster. Shameful for an MP whose constituency is in easy reach of Parliament (and I'd say that about any MP in the same situation). Apart from that I can't think of anything else memorable about the man.”
by captainlard
Saturday, October 27 2012, 7:14PM
“Good riddance!
Let's hope we get someone who lives in the constituency, works for the constituency and keeps their nose out of the expenses trough.”
by John_Croydon
Saturday, October 27 2012, 3:01PM
“Ottaway is quoted above as saying: "Serving the Croydon South constituency for more than two decades has been an immense privilege." This might have a certain amount of truth to it but only, as far as I can see, if, when he speaks of the constituency, he is referring to party interests within the constituency; I've yet to discover anything he has done to support the community.
Ottaway's supporters seem to be limited to those who back him for political reasons and, even then, I sense that they often aren't particularly happy about the situation. And I have yet to find a single person who supports Ottaway because of work he has done to support them or others who have needed help when they find themselves facing difficulties. So I'll be very glad to see the back of him and hope that future candidates will understand that they need to become involved with, and provide support for, the people of south Croydon.
It's a shame if south Croydon remains a "safe" seat - I'd far rather voters could put party politics aside and evaluate candidates on their engagement with, and total commitment to, all the communities and people within the constituency. And I don't believe anyone can say they are doing this to the best of their abilities if they hold any office outside Parliament.”