Dame Theresa Villiers to leave Parliament for UCL academic role
Former Chipping Barnet MP will not seek re-election and will pursue postgraduate research at University College London.
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Dame Theresa Villiers, the former Conservative Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet, has stated she will not seek re-election at the upcoming general election. She announced her decision to local Conservative Party members, indicating a shift towards an academic career focused on postgraduate research at University College London (UCL).
In a statement, Dame Theresa explained her decision after careful reflection. She will not put her name forward when Chipping Barnet Conservatives begin the process of selecting a new parliamentary candidate in the coming weeks. She also confirmed she would not apply to stand in any other constituency.
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Former MP will not seek Conservative candidacy for the seat she lost in 2024, opting for academic pursuits.
Academic Career and Continued Support
Dame Theresa, who was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in December, expressed gratitude to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for her inclusion on the Conservative candidates list. She stated her strong backing for Ms Badenoch's leadership and pledged to continue campaigning for the Conservative cause in Barnet and beyond. Her new academic pursuit will involve research for an MPhil/PhD at UCL, commencing in October.
She added that while she believes the Conservatives have a strong chance of regaining Chipping Barnet, she felt it was time to pass the challenge to a new candidate. Dame Theresa served as MP for Chipping Barnet for two decades, having previously been a Member of the European Parliament for six years. Her roles in national politics included nearly four years as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
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Her departure from competitive politics has been met with regret by some admirers, who described her as a "great local MP" and wished her well in her academic life. Despite her defeat in the 2024 general election, which saw Labour's Dan Tomlinson elected as MP for Chipping Barnet, Dame Theresa remained active in local politics, campaigning for Conservative candidates in recent council elections and attending numerous political events.
Questions this report answers
+Will Dame Theresa Villiers stand as an MP at the next general election?
No, Dame Theresa Villiers has announced she will not stand as a candidate at the next general election. She has decided not to put her name forward for the Chipping Barnet constituency or any other.
+What will Dame Theresa Villiers do next?
Dame Theresa Villiers will focus on an academic career. She plans to undertake postgraduate research for an MPhil/PhD at University College London, beginning in October.
+What was Dame Theresa Villiers' previous role in politics?
Dame Theresa Villiers served as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet for two decades. She also held the position of Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for nearly four years.
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