Thread by @GuyOpperman

Thread on last day of 2017 #Parliament + saying farewell to #MPs on both sides of @HouseofCommons.
Critics say no MPs with #reallifeexperience=so wrong: my amazing friends are ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ but sadly retiring: #Labour Stephen Pound, #Tories Bill Grant + Colonel Mark Lancaster 1/

Labour’s #StephenPound is v bright, empathetic, the funniest man in @HouseofCommons + a former #sailor/#hospitalporter/bus conductor.
Scot #BillGrant is a 31 year #fireman + miners son
+#MarkLancaster has the military medals for his service as a #Gurkha bomb disposal officer 2/

Very few #MPs could, would, or should do 49 yrs in @HouseofCommons unless you are the legend that is #KenClarke; he has been a delight to listen to + chat with these last 9 years ... although former miner #DennisSkinner is standing again #GE2019 for Bolsover aged 87! 3/

I shared the whips office + was a Minister with the amazing @SNewtonUK who helped run #AgeConcern in her former life. She developed pioneering energy booklets to help fuel poor constituents as a backbencher + will continue her great work outside @HouseofCommons 4/

Liked by all parliament, @SeemaKennedy is our first #MP of #Iranian heritage: her parents fled Iran in the 79 Revolution. Compassionate,+ an outstanding #PPS to the previous #PM, she speaks multiple languages.
She will be a very senior diplomat for the #UKGovernment one day 5/

From @NSoames to @FitzMP to @normanlamb all colleagues have good personal reasons for standing down + have contributed massively. I am optimistic: the @HouseofCommons is still a place of broad real life experience. If you get the chance to serve as councillor or MP-do so! / Ends

And if you wish to read the brilliant speeches in the valedictory debate in @HouseofCommons led by former miner @Patrick4Dales look here: hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-1…