Tories’ top backbencher Sir Graham Brady reveals will quit at the next general election

Sir Graham Brady, the Tories’ top backbencher, revealed today that he will be leaving the House of Commons at the next general election.

The senior MP – the current chairman of the Conservatives’ powerful 1922 Committee – announced he will not stand for re-election in his constituency of Altrincham and Sale West.

The 55-year-old said he wanted to leave parliament while he was “young enough to pursue other opportunities and interests.”

Sir Graham has been a key figure at Westminster in recent years, overseeing three election contests for Tory leaders in his role as committee chairman from 1922.

He joins a growing list of current Conservative MPs who have decided not to stand in the next election.

There are now 22 current Tory MPs who have announced their intention to leave the Commons, with former Conservative Health Secretary Matt Hancock also stepping down

There are now 22 Tory MPs who have announced their intention to leave the Commons.

Former Secretary of Health Matt Hancock – who had the Conservative whip taken from him last year for his reality TV stint – is also stepping down.

The imminent exodus of Conservative MPs comes as Rishi Sunak’s party continues to suffer from poor polling, leading Tory fears an election wipeout.

The latest Redfield & Wilton Strategies poll gave Labor a 26-point lead over the Tories.

A separate survey by Ipsos also found that the Conservatives were behind Sir Keir Starmer’s party by the same margin.

Sir Graham was first elected MP for Altrincham and Sale West in 1997 and successfully defended the seat in six successive general elections.

In a statement to his local newspaperhe said: ‘Representing my hometown in the House of Commons has been a tremendous privilege for which I will always be grateful.

‘My colleagues in the House of Commons have also given me the unique opportunity to preside over the 1922 Committee longer than anyone else in its hundred years of existence.

“I will continue to serve until the end of parliament, if they wish.

“I will continue to do everything I can to support the conservative cause and Rishi Sunak. As Prime Minister, he brings both stability and vision.

In 2024, I will campaign locally and nationally for the return of a Conservative government, which is in the national interest and in the interest of my constituents.

“I will continue to work hard in the service of the people of Altrincham & Sale West and offer my judgment and experience until the end of Parliament.

“I have decided to complete this fascinating and fulfilling chapter of my life while I am young enough to pursue other opportunities and interests, so I will not be running in the next election.”

Sir Graham pictured last June when he announced that Boris Johnson had survived a no-confidence vote among Tory MPs

The latest poll from Redfield & Wilton Strategies gave Labor a 26-point lead over the Tories as Rishi Sunak’s party continues to struggle

During his time as committee chairman from 1922, Sir Graham oversaw the election of Tory leaders that brought Theresa May, Liz Truss and Mr Sunak to Downing Street.

He was also key in organizing votes of no confidence among Tory MPs over the leadership of both Ms May and Boris Johnson.

These were both caused by 15 per cent of Conservative MPs writing to him to express their lack of confidence in their party leader.

Tory former cabinet ministers Nadine Dorries, Sajid Javid and George Eustice are also among the Conservative MPs who have announced they will not stand in the next general election, due in January 2025.