UK general election: Exodus of Tory MPs under Rishi Sunak breaks 1997 record nzherald.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nzherald.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Four Tory MPs have announced their departures from political life the day after Rishi Sunak called an election as the party braced for an avalanche of resignations.
Huw Merriman confirmed he would not contest Bexhill and Battle, the East Sussex seat he has held since 2015. He is one of four Tories to step down today, taking the total to 69.