MARK Pawsey will step down as Rugby’s MP after the next general election.
In a letter to Coun Adrian Warwick, the chairman of Rugby Conservative Association, Mr Pawsey said he would not be seeking re-election at the next General Election.
He said: “After a career in business, then becoming a Rugby Borough Councillor, it was my great honour to be selected as the Conservative candidate for my home town to fight the 2010 election. I have been delighted to see our majority rise from 6,000 then to 13,417 in 2019.
“I recognise the many challenges that our country faces today, as we recover from the Covid pandemic and as we respond to the huge increases in energy costs arising from the illegal war in Ukraine. I know that people in our constituency understand the need for the measures that have had to be introduced. Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister has my full support in bringing them forward, and I have great confidence in his leadership. I am sure that a new Conservative candidate will go on to win in Rugby, whenever the election is called.
“Over the past twelve years I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Westminster, raising matters of concern to residents in Rugby and Bulkington. I was pleased to put my business experience to good use as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Business and Energy Department, and more recently to serve on the Select Committee.
“It has been a pleasure over my time as our MP to see Rugby grow in a controlled manner, through new housing and through attracting new businesses to provide excellent opportunities for the next generation. We can be proud of the former Mast Site, which is an exemplar of delivering new housing at scale.
“I am grateful to Rugby Conservative Association members and to residents across the constituency for the support I have received. It goes without saying that I will do my utmost to serve them to the best of my ability throughout my remaining time as their MP.”
Mr Pawsey, who has been the town’s MP since 2010, joins 13 other Conservative MPs who will stand down at the next general election, including former chancellor, health secretary and business secretary Sajid Javid.
Coun Maggie O’Rourke, the leader of the Labour Group at Rugby Borough Council, said: “I wish Mark Pawsey a peaceful and happy retirement from politics and thank him for his service to the people of this constituency as MP.
“However, the legacy that he and his party leaves behind is not one to be proud of and his report card will say ‘should have tried harder’.
“Mr Pawsey was a Conservative MP, in a constituency with a Tory-led Borough Council and Tory-led Country Council and in the background there has been a Tory government since 2010.
“His and his party’s legacy for our constituency has been one of missed opportunities, lack of vision and a worsening situation for the most vulnerable in our community.
“Our town centre has been left in decline, with empty shops and no strategic vision.
“Local infrastructure can’t keep pace with all of the new homes being built in the Borough meaning that parents can’t access the schools they want for their children, and health service provision doesn’t match demand.
“While we’re a thriving commuter town, we have not attracted sufficient industries to provide high quality local job opportunities for Rugby people and their children.
“The party that Mr Pawsey represents has presided over drastic and painful cuts to public services both nationally and locally, negatively affecting our community. The Tories’ mismanagement of the economy has led to inflation and rising interest rates just as the cost-of-living crisis is reaching its peak.”
Coun Jerry Roodhouse, the leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: “It looks like they are all jumping ship.
“It is clear that the Conservative Government is failing the British people and Rugby. Electors get a chance at next May’s local elections to send a clear message: enough is enough, time to go – and that includes this Conservative Council.”
He acknowledged that Mr Pawsey had worked hard as an MP, adding: “I wish Mark and his family all the best for the future.”
