The news of a second Foreign Office minister resigning, less than a week after Baroness Warsi, grabs one’s attention. But it seems Mark Simmonds, who now also intends to leave the Commons at the next election, isn’t making a political statement, judging by the terms of his announcement.
Here is an extract from his statement to his constituents:
“…despite the enjoyment and personal fulfilment I have found in this role, the lack of support available to MPs with families outside of London and the sacrifice to my family life, has become intolerable. At this stage, I need to focus on providing for my family.”
He certainly wouldn’t be the first MP to conclude that the personal impact on their family is too great. Number 10 has reportedly said that the decision was taken before current events in Gaza.
He will leave a majority of 12,426 (28.8 per cent) in his Boston and Skegness constituency.
***Update***
James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, has replaced Simmonds at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He has written for ConHome in the past about his passion for investing in Africa – read more here.