Conservative MP Steve Brine announces decision to step down in upcoming general election

After breaking lobbying rules in a WhatsApp exchange exposed by The Telegraph’s Lockdown Files investigation, Conservative MP Steve Brine has announced that he will not seek re-election in the next election. Representing Winchester and Chandler’s Ford since 2010, Brine stated that he is ready for a “new chapter” in life, mentioning in a letter to his local Tory association that he had always intended to serve either twenty years or four general elections. Reflecting on recent events, Brine said, “This wasn’t a strict rule, and no one could have anticipated the events of the past thirteen years, but it feels right now, for both myself and my family.” He further added, “Moving forward, I believe I can pursue the issues that matter to me – particularly in health – outside of Parliament as well as within it.”

Earlier this year, a leaked WhatsApp message from the Lockdown Files revealed that Brine had been contacting ministers and officials on behalf of Remedium, a healthcare recruitment firm that paid him £1,600 per month. Following an investigation, it was determined that Brine had failed twice to disclose his position as a paid adviser to Remedium Partners when reaching out to ministers on behalf of the firm.

Lib Dems Aim for Win

Despite this breach, critics argue that Brine faced minimal consequences, only being required to rectify his actions through an apology and a promise not to repeat them. Winchester and Chandler’s Ford will be an important target seat for the Liberal Democrats in the upcoming general election, expected to take place next year. In the 2019 election, Brine’s majority dropped to 985 votes from a previous 9,999. A Liberal Democrat source mentioned that he is one of several Conservative MPs in highly competitive constituencies who have announced their intention to step down before the next election.