Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove & Portslade and Interlectual Property Advisor to The Prime Minister has today written to David Cameron announcing his decision not to stand for re-election at the General Election in 2015.
The letter read:
“It is after profound consideration that I write to inform you that I will not be standing for re-election at the General Election in 2015.
“I have nothing but huge admiration for the work of the Government over the past four years, including what has been done to get our economy back on track. In Hove and Portslade, this has translated to a drop in unemployment of a staggering 37.5%. I am strongly in favour too of our efforts to reform our membership of the EU but even more so of our pledge of a referendum in 2017 as I have mentioned to you directly on a number of occasions.
“In terms of my own work, I have proudly served on the Administration and Justice Select Committees. I have campaigned relentlessly, with much success, to bring common sense to our laws on residential squatting. I have fought hard on a number of animal rights issues and firmly believe that the hunting ban should remain in place. I have also highlighted the dangers of nuclear power and, indeed, the benefits of solar and other renewables.
“Over the past year, I have taken immense pride in serving as your Intellectual Property Adviser. I am sure that you will agree that we have made huge steps towards really getting politicians and industry talking – which is key to making the most of our country’s wealth of creative talent. It would be a privilege to continue offering my assistance in this regard.
“It goes without saying that my years representing the wonderful people of Hove and Portslade have been one of the most fulfilling periods of my life which I will look back on with very fond memories. I have made so many friends over the years including so many of my loyal supporters both in and out of Brighton & Hove Conservatives. I cannot thank them enough.
“Ultimately, beating cancer two years ago has led me to review what I want for the future. It has been the toughest decision of my life but I do feel that now is the time to move on.”
Mike, a chartered management accountant was elected to Parliament at the General Election of 2010. Prior to his election as an MP he was finance director of record producer Pete Waterman’s group of businesses. He has a keen interest in live music and in 2007 he became Vice President (Europe) of the Motion Picture Licensing Company. Mike was supportive of the LGBT community during the equal marriage debates writing to the Prime Minister in favour of giving same-sex couples equal marriage rights and urging religious organisations to register such ceremonies, which caused considerable controversy at the time.
Mike said: “This has been an exceptionally difficult decision to make. It has been a remarkable opportunity to represent the wonderful residents of Hove and Portslade in Parliament and I look forward to continuing to do this until the election near year.”
Linda Freedman, Chairman of Brighton & Hove Conservatives, added: “We are all incredibly sad that Mike won’t be re-standing. He has been a seriously effective representative for Hove and Portslade over the past four years. Nothing stands still in politics though so our discussions as to what happens next are already far advanced. We’ll be making an announcement on this point shortly.”
Conservative Group Leader on Brighton & Hove City Council, Cllr. Geoffrey Theobald, said: “Mike has been an excellent hard-working MP who has always stood up in Parliament for the residents of Hove & Portslade. On a personal basis Mike has been, and remains, a very good friend and I have always valued his advice and support. He has also always worked very closely with the Conservative Group on the Council to good effect. He has been passionate in campaigning to make squatting a criminal offence and, as a result, is one of the select few backbench MPs who has managed to get legislation on the books.
“The Prime Minister also recently recognised his talents by making Mike his adviser on Intellectual Property. And he has achieved all this despite battling serious illness. I wish Mike all the best in the future and I’m sure that he still has a huge amount to contribute to the city I know he loves. I’m certain that whoever is chosen to succeed Mike will make an excellent MP in 2015.”
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