Theresa May announces she's quitting as MP as she shares verdict on Tory chances
Theresa May has announced she will step down as an MP as speculation grows an election could be called within days.
The former Prime Minister said she will not be re-standing in Maidenhead, which she has represented for 27 years. In a statement to her local newspaper, Mrs May said she had taken the “difficult decision” to leave the Commons at the election.
Around 60 Conservative MPs have now announced they are choosing to quit as the party faces the prospect of big losses. But Mrs May, 67, told the Maidenhead Advertiser she still believed Mr Sunak could cling on as PM.
“As I pass the baton on I will be working with my successor to secure a Conservative victory in Maidenhead,” she said. “I remain committed to supporting Rishi Sunak and the Government and believe that the Conservatives can win the election.”
Mrs May served as Home Secretary in David Cameron’s Government before becoming Prime Minister when he left No10 in the wake of the Brexit vote. But she lost the party’s majority in the 2017 election and returned to the backbenches in 2019.
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Theresa May celebrating at the general election count after being first elected as the MP for Maidenhead in 1997 (Mirrorpix)Mrs May last year had announced she intended to stand again as the Tory candidate in Maidenhead. It is one of the party's safest seats with the former PM winning with a majority of 18,846 votes at the last election.
But in her statement today she said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve everyone in the Maidenhead constituency as the Member of Parliament for the last 27 years. Being an MP is about service to one’s constituents and I have always done my best to ensure that I respond to the needs of local people and the local area.
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“Since stepping down as Prime Minister I have enjoyed being a backbencher again and having more time to work for my constituents and champion causes close to my heart including most recently launching a Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. These causes have been taking an increasing amount of my time.
“Because of this, after much careful thought and consideration, I have realised that, looking ahead, I would no longer be able to do my job as an MP in the way I believe is right and my constituents deserve.I have therefore taken the difficult decision to stand down at the next General Election.”
Rishi Sunak paid tribute to Mrs May's dedication to public service, describing her as an "extraordinary and inspiring example". Speaking to reporters in Keighley, he said: "Obviously on International Women's Day, it's important to recognise that Theresa was our second female prime minister, which is an extraordinary achievement.
"And actually beyond that, she just has the most amazing track record of dedicated public service over two decades. And that is an extraordinary and inspiring example to anyone. Anyone who spent time with her knows how committed she is to public service, not just in her community, but the country. And everyone will miss her sorely."
Nearly 100 MPs have said they won't fight seats at the next election, including 64 Conservatives and ex-Conservatives - the most Tories to retire from Parliament since 1997. Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds said the number of Tories standing down showed there was "no confidence" in the party's prospects as they continue to languish in the polls.
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