Sir George Young to retire in 2015

He was first elected to Parliament in 1974 and has held several ministerial posts under Margaret Thatcher, John Major and David Cameron, being made Leader of the House of Commons in 2010.
Sir George made the announcement at the executive council of the North West Hampshire Conservative Association, held at the Guild Hall in Andover on Friday.
He said: "I have decided to retire from the House of Commons at the end of this Parliament. I have had a good innings and it is time to let others have the chance that I had back in 1974. I know there are some top quality candidates waiting in the wings to take over the baton.
"I will have done 41 years as an MP by May 2015, and I have done 17 of them as a Minister. I admire those who are older than I am and who want to continue, but I propose to declare at 41 not out.
"I enjoy my work as Chief Whip and I will continue to work hard for the Party in Parliament; and here as your local MP right up to the wire, before handing over to my successor in North West Hants as Conservative candidate."
For more on the announcement, see this week's

.