Rushcliffe MP Kenneth Clarke becomes the 'father of the house'
Rushcliffe MP Kenneth Clarke has become the 'father of the house' and the MP with the longest continuous service.
It is after the death, announced today of Sir Gerald Kaufman. The Labour MP for Manchester Gorton has died aged 86, sparking a by-election in his constituency.
Like Sir Gerald Kaufman, Conservative grandee and former chancellor Kenneth Clarke was elected in June 1970 but Sir Gerald held the title as he was sworn in first.
Bolsover MP Dennis Skinner, who was elected on the same day as Clarke in 1970, is now the oldest serving MP at 85.