The 7 retiring Lib Dem MPs (and the 7 candidates hoping to replace them)

by Stephen Tall on March 22, 2010

Seven Lib Dem MPs have announced they’re retiring at this year’s general election. All seven are men: of their replacements, four are women. Here’s the list in full:

John Barrett (LD) – Edinburgh West

Majority: 13,600 (30%) – second safest Lib Dem seat in the UK.
Reason for leaving: to spend more time with his grand-daughters.
Hoping to succeed him: Mike Crockart.

Colin Breed (LD) – South East Cornwall

Majority: 6,507 (13%).
Reason for leaving: not stated.
Hoping to succeed him: Karen Gillard.

David Howarth (LD) – Cambridge

Majority: 5,058 (11%).
Reason for leaving: “to concentrate on my other life, as an academic.”
Hoping to succeed him: Julian Huppert.

Paul Keetch (LD) – Hereford and South Herefordshire

Majority: 1,297 (3%)
Reason for leaving: not stated.
Hoping to succeed him: Sarah Carr.

Mark Oaten (LD) – Winchester

Majority: 8,044 (15%)
Reason for leaving: “to take on new challenges.”
Hoping to succeed him: Martin Tod and Liz Leffman in Meon Valley.

Matthew Taylor (LD) – Truro and Falmouth

Majority: 5,131 (13%)
Reason for leaving: to spend more time with his family.
Hoping to succeed him: Terrye Teverson and Steve Gilbert in St Austell & Newquay.

Phil Willis (LD) – Harrogate and Knaresborough

Majority: 7,811 (16%)
Reason for leaving: “to bow out of front line politics at the top and when I am doing the job as I want to do it.”
Hoping to succeed him: Claire Kelley

For the full list of all MPs who are retiring at the general election, visit Politics.co.uk.

NB: majorities are the notional majorities after bouncary changes, according to UK Polling Report’s seats guide.