Deputy leader retires
By politics.co.uk staff
Sir Michael Lord, deputy Speaker since 1997, will retire at the next general election.
The Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Conservative MP ran for the post of Speaker at the end of the last parliament, but lost to John Bercow.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Member of Parliament and considered it a huge privilege and honour to have served the people in Suffolk,” he said.
“I will be sad to retire but feel that now is the right time to make the announcement to allow my successor to be selected and become known to the constituents.
“When I leave the House of Commons I will particularly miss my constituency work which I have always found extremely rewarding and which has enabled me to help thousands of my constituents over the years.”
Knighted in 2001, Sir Michael was known for his conservative views before he became deputy Speaker, including opposition to the Maastricht treaty.
