A Tory MP has confirmed he will not seek re-election in the seat once held by Boris Johnson – and which reports suggest the former prime minister may seek out in the future for a “safer” run for parliament.
John Howell, who represents Henley, has become the latest Conservative MP to confirm they will not stand as a party candidate in the next general election, which can take place no later than January 2025.
Mr Howell became the MP for Henley in 2008 when Mr Johnson vacated the seat to become London mayor that year.
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There have been reports that Mr Johnson – who is currently awaiting verdict from parliament’s privileges committee over whether he misled MPs over partygate – could seek to run again in his former seat, which is more secure than the one he currently holds in Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Mr Howell wrote: “By the time of the end of the next parliament I will be coming up towards my mid-70’s.
“I do not want to be in parliament until that time as I would like to pursue other avenues. I am a strong supporter of Rishi Sunak and I hope that the South Oxfordshire Conservative Association will continue to get behind him.”
Last month Mr Johnson was reselected as the Conservative candidate for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, which he has held since 2015.
Mr Johnson’s spokesperson sought to dampen speculation about Henley by pointing to his recent reselection result in Uxbridge.
“Boris Johnson is standing in Uxbridge and South Ruislip at the next general election and was recently reselected as the Conservative candidate there,” they told Sky News.
However, Mr Johnson’s future as the constituency’s MP is far from certain.
At the last general election, Mr Johnson retained the seat with a majority of 7,210 and an increased vote share of 52.6% after dipping in popularity in the 2017 election.
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