As reported by The Argus, schools minister Nick Gibb announces his departure from government and plans to stand down as an MP, expressing pride in improvements during his ten-year tenure and looking forward to a diplomatic role after the upcoming general election
Amid a Cabinet reshuffle which has seen Suella Braverman sacked as home secretary and former Prime Minister David Cameron appointed foreign secretary, the MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton said on social media he would be leaving his post and quitting as an MP at the election – expected sometime next year.
Mr Gibb, who has been an MP since 1997, said he would be taking up a diplomatic role after the general election.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “It has been a privilege to serve as schools minister for four Prime Ministers. I campaigned for Rishi Sunak last summer and I remain an enthusiastic supporter of the Prime Minister’s leadership.
“I am proud that over my ten years as a minister standards in schools have risen. England is fourth in the world in reading as a result of phonics reforms and we are rising internationally for maths and English. We have transformed the curriculum so that it is knowledge-rich.
“The multiplication test for nine-year-olds means more children know their tables than ever before.
“The new more rigorous maths GCSE means better preparation of A-level, now the most popular A-level choice.
“I have written to my association chairman this morning to tell her that I will not stand for re-election at the next election.
“It has been a privilege to represent the people of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton for the last 26 years.”
In his letter to the Conservative association, Mr Gibb said that Bognor, Littlehampton and the villages in between are “home to hard-working, generous-spirited people who I admire and have been proud to represent”.
He added: “I have enjoyed every moment as a constituency MP, getting to know thousands of people who live in this wonderful stretch of coastal West Sussex.”
James Cleverly has been appointed to replace Suella Braverman as home secretary in the Cabinet reshuffle, with David Cameron serving as foreign secretary after being made a member of the House of Lords.
Mr Gibb is now the third Sussex MP to announce they will not stand at the next election, following Conservative MP for Crawley Henry Smith and Green MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas.
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