Theresa May won’t stand on the subsequent General Election

Theresa May is drawing a line below 27 years within the Commons after declaring she won’t stand on the election.

The former PM stated she was taking the ‘tough determination’ to step down so she will concentrate on campaigning on fashionable slavery and human trafficking.

The 67-year-old, who led the Tories via three years of torrid Brexit infighting within the wake of the EU referendum, joins a rising record of MPs opting to stop the House voluntarily.

Mrs May had an 18,000 majority in Maidenhead in 2019, and would have been anticipated to carry on to the seat even on a grim night time for the social gathering.

Known for her fondness for daring kitten heels – in distinction to her buttoned-down public persona – Mrs May has been a serious participant within the Conservatives for the reason that early 2000s. She famously instructed activists at their 2002 convention that they have been seen because the ‘nasty social gathering’.

Mrs May was one of many longest-serving Home Secretaries in fashionable political historical past throughout David Cameron‘s premiership.

She stunned many by grabbing the highest job in 2016 after Cameron stop and Boris Johnson‘s bid imploded. 

But the writing was on the wall after she referred to as a snap election the next yr and ran a disastrous marketing campaign, notoriously U-turning on social care plans whereas awkwardly insisting ‘nothing has modified’. 

After quitting as PM Mrs May has intervened sparingly, however has been able to criticise the federal government at key moments. She is more likely to be elevated to the House of Lords if she needs.

In an announcement to the Maidenhead Advertiser, Mrs May stated: ‘It has been an honour and a privilege to serve everybody within the Maidenhead constituency because the Member of Parliament for the final 27 years. 

Theresa May pictured outdoors Downing Street together with her husband Philip in 2019 

Theresa May has revealed she is stepping down on the subsequent General Election as an MP

The former Conservative Prime Minister has represented Maidenhead since 1997 (Pictured talking at Kings College London in December)

‘Being an MP is about service to 1’s constituents and I’ve at all times finished my finest to make sure that I reply to the wants of native folks and the native space.

‘Since stepping down as Prime Minister I’ve loved being a backbencher once more and having extra time to work for my constituents and champion causes near my coronary heart together with most lately launching a Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

‘These causes have been taking an rising quantity of my time.

‘Because of this, after a lot cautious thought and consideration, I’ve realised that, wanting forward, I might now not find a way t o do my job as an MP in the best way I consider is true and my constituents deserve.

‘I’ve due to this fact taken the tough determination to face down on the subsequent General Election.’

Mrs May served as dwelling secretary below Lord Cameron between 2010 and 2016 earlier than succeeding him as PM.

She arrived in Downing Street in July 2016 on a wave of enthusiasm and was liable for negotiating a Brexit cope with the European Union.

Theresa May was liable for negotiating a Brexit cope with the European Union (Pictured in September final yr)

Mrs May served as UK Prime Minister from July 2016 for 3 years till July 2019 (Pictured at Battersea Arts Centre in November final yr)

She triggered Article 50 on March 29, 2017 promising to take Britain out of the EU in two years.

Mrs May marked her arrival with an impassioned promise on the steps of Number 10 to sort out the ‘burning injustices’ which maintain again the poor, ethnic minorities, girls and the working courses in fashionable British society.

But of venture snap election in June 2017 price her any majority and her whole premiership was dominated by tortuous negotiations in Brussels and cruel infighting inside her personal social gathering over the phrases on which the UK would go away. 

The 2017 consequence noticed the Tory majority worn out whereas a visibly distraught Mrs May needed to flip to the DUP to prop her up in Parliament, promising £1billion in additional Government funds for Northern Ireland.

That December she tried to salvage the Brexit deal by finalising a Withdrawal Agreement with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

Mrs May stated it was ‘the honour of her life’ to function prime minister (Pictured in March 2019)

However, the 2017 settlement launched the controversial ‘backstop’ customs preparations for Northern Ireland which have been to be fiercely opposed by the DUP and hardline Tory Brexiteers within the European Research Group.

Eventually, opposition to her proposed Brexit deal noticed Conservative MPs maintain a confidence vote in her management, and though she survived her authority was diminished and he or she introduced her resignation 5 months later in May 2019. 

Speaking throughout her leaving speech on the time, she stated: ‘I’ll shortly go away the job that it has been the honour of my life to carry.

‘The second feminine prime minister, however actually not the final. I accomplish that with no ailing will, however with huge and enduring gratitude to have had the chance to serve the nation I like.’