Mapped: All the MPs standing down at general election as Michael Gove and John Redwood join the exodus

The UK will go to the polls in July after Rishi Sunak announced the date for the nextgeneral election – but scores of high-profile MPs will not be facing the electorate after deciding to stand down.

Housing secretary Michael Gove and former business secretary Andrea Leadsom became the latest Tory MPs to announce they would not contest the next election, as the number of Conservative MPs deciding to stand aside hit a new post-war record. In his letter to constituents, Mr Gove cited the “toll” of public office as he said it was time to let “a new generation lead” following a political career spanning nearly 20 years.

As of 25 May, more than 120 MPs have said publicly they were either standing down from parliament or not contesting their seat at the general election. Some 78 out of those were Conservative – a record number for the party. Veteran Tory MP John Redwood – notorious for once mumbling his way through the Welsh national anthem – also joined the list on Friday.

Former prime minister Theresa May announced in March she would not stand again. In her farewell speech to parliament, the former PM urged remaining MPs to “remember the importance of our democracy”, to “be a voice for the voiceless” and warned that “their job here is not to advance themselves but to serve the people who elected them”.

Nadhim Zahawi, the former chancellor, education secretary and Conservative Party chairman, stood down in May, saying the time is right for a “new, energetic Conservative to take over”. Alok Sharma, the former Cop26 president, has also announced he would stand down at the next general election, saying it had been the “honour” of his life to have served as an MP.