Theresa May
Theresa May declares exit from UK parliament, ending 27-year political career
Former British Prime Minister, Theresa May, has announced her decision not to contest the upcoming general election, concluding a remarkable 27-year tenure in the UK parliament.
May disclosed her intention to step down as the Member of Parliament for Maidenhead on Friday.
In a statement provided to the Maidenhead Advertiser, May expressed her enjoyment of returning to a backbencher role since resigning as prime minister.
She highlighted her increased dedication to constituents and causes, including the recent launch of the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, a project she initiated in collaboration with the UK and Bahrain governments in October.
May, 67, embarked on her political journey as the MP for Maidenhead in 1997, subsequently serving as home secretary under David Cameron from 2010 to 2016 before assuming the role of prime minister. Her three-year term at Downing Street was tumultuous, marked by intense Brexit negotiations.
Despite losing her majority in the 2017 snap election, May maintained her position with the support of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party.
Facing opposition to her proposed Brexit deal, May survived a confidence vote but later resigned due to diminished authority. In her statement, May expressed gratitude for the honour and privilege of serving as Maidenhead’s MP and pledged continued dedication to her constituents until the anticipated general election in the second half of the year.
Acknowledging the almost 100 MPs, including 64 Conservatives, who have opted not to seek re-election, May asserted her belief in the Conservatives’ victory.
While Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds suggested these retirements signalled a lack of confidence in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party, Treasury Minister Gareth Davies countered, expressing personal sadness at May’s departure and emphasizing the legitimacy of individual decisions to leave parliament before an election.