Sir Robert Goodwill to step down as Scarborough and Whitby MP at next election
He has served for the last 18 years
Last updated 14th Apr 2023
Scarborough and Whitby MP Sir Robert Goodwill has confirmed he will step down and not run for re-election next term.
He retained his seat with a majority of 10,270 votes at the General Election 2019.
In a statement, Sir Robert Goodwill said: "It is now almost 18 years since the 5th of May 2005. That was the day of the General Election when I was elected as your Member of Parliament in Scarborough and Whitby. The “safe” seat had been Conservative continuously from 1918 until Tony Blair’s landslide victory of 1997. Defeated Conservative MP, John Sykes failed to wrest it back from Labour’s Laurie Quinn in 2001 and I was chosen by local party members to regain the seat in the run up to the 2005 General Election.
"We only gained two seats in Yorkshire at that election – Scarborough and Whitby and Shipley. I know my opponents were cock-a hoop that Prime Minister Blair chose the Spa in Scarborough for his eve of election rally. Maybe that was not the trump card they hoped for and despite the exit polls predicting a “Labour hold” here, we edged a win with a majority of just over a thousand.
"Things we easier in 2010 as Gordon Brown had run out of money and I was pleased to be called to serve in David Cameron’s Government – the first MP from this Constituency to do so since the war.
"As Minister of State at Transport, I achieved tangible results for people here and around the country - new legislation introducing roadside “drugalysers” to take unfit drivers off our roads, increasing speed limits for lorries to reduce dangerous overtaking accidents and introducing a tax on foreign trucks that has raised over £100m. I also served as Immigration Minister, Minister for Children and Families and as Agriculture Minister.
"The historic moment during that time must be the EU referendum. 62% of people here voted to leave. Labour and Kier Starmer fought tooth and nail to frustrate Brexit and paid the price in December 2019 when Boris not only swept back to Downing Street with a Parliamentary majority of 80 but my majority increased to over 10,000. People here in the coast didn’t like being ignored or indeed being told they were too stupid to understand what they voted for in the referendum! That majority gave us the tools we needed to finally get Brexit done!
"Last year was turbulent to say the least! Three Prime Ministers in less than 12 months but now, at least, we can see some stability and with Rishi in Downing Street and, as people often tell me, “The grown-ups are back in charge!”.
"Although fit and well, I am now 66 years old and with an election expected next year another term would take me into my 70’s. I have therefore decided not to submit my name for re-selection. Too many MPs go on too long in my experience. Now is the time to let someone else younger take over. We still have the farm, and a second grand child is on the way so I will have plenty to keep me occupied. Maureen will be seeing more of me too.
"I will certainly not take my foot off the pedal in the time remaining and, indeed, as chair of the Commons EFRA Select Committee, I have my work cut out. We still respond to up to 500 Constituents every month – sorting out problems and listening to your views as well as the regular surgeries.
"Scarborough and Whitby has come a long way since 2005 with many tangible improvements in recreational, educational and work opportunities here on the coast. Coventry University, the University Technical College, Sports Village, the new £100m McCain facility and Woodsmith Mine to name just a few. We still have Britain’s two premier resorts although there is still work to be done to improve transport links.
"Serving as your MP has been the privilege of my life and I have been inspired by the talent, ambition and dedication of local people in so many fields. Thank you for giving me that opportunity."