Which East Midlands MPs are standing down ahead of December election? Full list here

Candidates looking to stand in the election on December 12 had until 4pm yesterday (Thursday) to submit their names to the Electoral Commission.

Over 70 MPs did not send in their nomination and have said they will not contest the 2019 election - with reasons ranging from political differences to the torrent of abuse many have suffered alongside their staff and families.

Here is a list of all the MPs in the East Midlands region who are standing down:

Nicky Morgan, Loughborough (Conservative)

The most high-profile MP to announce their departure from frontline politics was Nicky Morgan, who serves as Culture Secretary.

The Conservative MP was widely tipped as a leadership replacement when she served as Education Secretary under David Cameron.

She announced she will step away after nearly a decade as MP for Loughborough by thanking her constituents, but said she had been abused “for doing the modern job of an MP” and cited the “clear impact” life in politics had taken on her family.

Ken Clarke Credit: PA Images

Ken Clarke, Rushcliffe (Independent)

Ken Clarke, known as the Father of the House (the longest-serving MP), also announced he would stand down.

The former-Conservative MP served as a Chancellor in John Major’s cabinet, while also serving in the Thatcher and Cameron governments.

He was kicked out of the Tory party in September, alongside 20 other MPs, after he voted to block a no-deal Brexit.

Keith Vaz Credit: PA Images

Keith Vaz, Leicester East (Labour)

Labour's Keith Vaz announced his retirement from Parliament after 32 years as an MP for Leicester East.

It came just weeks after the Commons Standards Committee recommended he should be handed a six-month suspension for causing "significant damage" to the reputation of the House.

The 62-year-old was found to have expressed a willingness to purchase cocaine for others during an encounter with male prostitutes.

Sir Patrick McLoughlin Credit: PA Images

Sir Patrick McLoughlin, Derbyshire Dales (Conservative)

Sir Patrick McLoughlin, former Transport Secretary and Conservative Party chairman, announced he would retire after 33 years in Parliament.

In a letter posted on Twitter, he said: "It is now the right time for me to stand aside and let someone else take Derbyshire Dales forward.”

Sir Alan Duncan is being investigated by the Conservative Party over comments on members' stances on Israel. Credit: PA Images

Sir Alan Duncan, Melton and Rutland (Conservative)

Sir Alan Duncan, the first openly gay Tory MP, who publicly came out in 2002, also said he was stepping down.

He was the Secretary of State for International Development under David Cameron.

He was effectively made Boris Johnson’s underling when he became Foreign Secretary in 2016 - and has become a fierce critic of his leadership ever since.

Nick Boles, Grantham and Stamford (Independent)

Nick Boles hinted on Twitter that he would stand down in December’s election, months after he resigned the Tory whip.

He said: “Though I fully expect to be riding off into the sunset after 12th December I haven’t yet decided whether I will stand as an independent or not.”

He did not submit his name for nomination.

In a scathing speech to members in the House of Commons back in April, the Lincolnshire MP said his party “refuses to compromise.”

Other MPs standing down in the East Midlands are:

  • Gloria De Piero, Labour MP for Ashfield since 2010

  • John Mann, Labour MP for Bassetlaw since 2001

  • David Tredinnick, Conservative MP for Bosworth since 1987

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