A local MP has sensationally revealed that he has turned down the opportunity for a Government post and also stepped down from his role in the Treasury – because he wants to put his constituents first.
Rob Wilson, Conservative MP for Reading East, posted on Facebook today that the Prime Minister invited him to become a minister of the Crown in this week’s reshuffle, which saw Michael Gove sacked as education secretary and William Hague announce his resignation from Parliament.
Rob gave two reasons for needing to decline David Cameron’s offer to join the Coliation Cabinet’s last nine months.
The first was a book launch, which takes place next week. The second was because of his duties as a constituency MP.
In his statement, he said: “I am about to publish a book next week which could not be delayed and this is not something that is compatible with serving as a Minister.”
The book, The Eye of the Storm: The View From The Centre of the Political Scandal, looks at what happens when you’re in the eye of the storm, citing MPs’ expenses, phone hacking and Plebgate as examples.
You can buy Rob WIlson’s 5 Days to Power – The Journey to Coalition for just £8.19 with free delivery from hive.co.uk 
It is published on Tuesday, July 22 by Biteback publishing and can be ordered via Hive.co.uk and sent to local bookshops, supporting their businesses, including WordPlay books in Caversham, Chapter One in Woodley and Bookends in Wokingham.
It is Rob’s second book, the first, Five Days To Power, recounts the events of the 2010 General Election in which no party received an overall majority and saw the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats come together to form a coaliation Government – the first time that no party has run outright since 1979.
With his constituency duties, Rob said: “I have always been a diligent constituency MP but Reading East is undergoing transformational changes that I have fought hard over the last 9 years to deliver as the Member of Parliament. I feel that the next few months will be crucial in delivering for the local community with regard to new local schools, infrastructure and so on.
“It is the people of Reading I was elected to serve.”
Rob’s full statement is as follows:
Last modified on Thursday, 17 July 2014 15:56
