…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has confirmed that he will not seek re-election as an MP at the next general election.
However, he has not ruled out the possibility of accepting a peerage and becoming a member of the House of Lords after stepping down.
Jack expressed his intention to continue in his current role within the UK Government until the upcoming election, emphasizing the privilege it entails.
He made it clear that he will not accept a peerage while still serving as an MP to avoid triggering a by-election.
Uncertain Future in the House of Lords
When asked about the potential of entering the House of Lords if he steps down at the next election, Jack responded with “Who knows?” This leaves the option open for him to accept a peerage after leaving his MP position.
It’s worth noting that Jack was nominated for a peerage in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list, alongside former Cop26 president Alok Sharma.
Departure Plans and Transition Process
Alister Jack affirmed his decision not to stand in the next general election during conversations with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak, who appointed him as Secretary of State for Scotland.
He reiterated his commitment to being honest about his intentions and stated that the privilege of continuing to serve has been extended to him in light of his upcoming departure.
The local party will now begin the process of selecting a new candidate to represent the constituency in the coming months.
Political Journey and Successor to David Mundell
Alister Jack entered the House of Commons in 2017 as an MP and assumed his current role as Scottish Secretary in July 2019, succeeding David Mundell.
During his tenure, he has represented his constituency of Dumfries and Galloway and worked as a key figure in the UK Government’s Scotland Office.