Heath to retire at next election

Sir Edward Heath has announced he will retire at the next general election.

Sir Edward Heath has announced he will retire at the next general election.

The 84-year-old former Tory Prime Minister has sat in the House of Commons for 50 years, making him its longest serving Member.

He announced his decision in a letter to his Old Bexley and Sidcup constituency.

It read: "I am immensely proud of having been returned by the electorate of Bexley at every General Election since February 23, 1950, a period of more than 50 years."

Sir Edward is a regular attender at the Commons, an occasional speaker - always without notes and invariably witty - and never misses an opportunity to proclaim his pro-European views.

He still regards the Euro-sceptics with withering disdain and has made clear his concern at what is generally regarded as the Conservative party's Euro-sceptic line under the leadership of William Hague.

Yesterday, he conducted the arduous procedure to elect the new Speaker in his role as Father of the House.