THE former MP for Salisbury Robert Key is in line to receive the Freedom of the City for his service.

Members of Salisbury City Council will vote to give Mr Key the honorary title on December 6 to give thanks for his almost three decades of dedication.

Mr Key became the city’s MP in 1983 until 2010 when he was succeeded by John Glen following his decision to stand down. During his time in parliament he served as a key front-bench spokesman during the leaderships of William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith.

Away from politics Mr Key, who was born in Plymouth, was a member of the General Synod of the Church of England from 2005 to 2015 and has been a Lay Canon of Salisbury Cathedral since 2008.

In 2015 Mr Key chaired the Salisbury Cathedral Magna Carta 800th Board and was a member of the National Magna Carta 800th Committee.

If given, Mr Key will be made an Honorary Freeman, and will be only the second Freeman of the City alongside Lady Jo Benson.