Theresa May Announces Retirement from UK Parliament
Theresa May Announces Retirement from UK Parliament
Former British Prime Minister, Theresa May, has announced that she will not seek re-election, ending a 27-year career in the UK parliament. May, who has been serving as the MP for Maidenhead, revealed her decision to step down in order to focus on championing causes close to her heart, particularly the fight against modern slavery.
In a statement to her local newspaper, the Maidenhead Advertiser, May expressed her enjoyment of being a backbencher since stepping down as prime minister. She mentioned dedicating more time to working for her constituents and advocating for causes such as the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, which she launched recently.
“After much careful thought and consideration, I have realized 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,” May said.
May, 67, has been a strong advocate for combatting modern slavery and human trafficking. She initiated her Global Commission in October with the support of the UK and Bahrain governments.
Her political journey began in 1997 when she was first elected as MP for Maidenhead. She then served as home secretary under David Cameron from 2010 to 2016 before becoming the prime minister. Her time in Downing Street, however, was marked by the challenges and complexities of Brexit negotiations.
Facing a snap election in 2017 that resulted in a hung parliament, May struck a deal with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to maintain her position. However, ongoing opposition to her proposed Brexit deal led to a confidence vote in her leadership, which she survived but with diminished authority. She announced her resignation five months later.
Reflecting on her tenure, May stated, “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Maidenhead’s MP.” She expressed her commitment to supporting current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Conservative government. She also pledged to work with her successor to secure a Conservative victory in Maidenhead.
As May prepares to pass on the baton, she thanked all those who elected her and expressed confidence in the Conservative Party’s ability to succeed in the upcoming election.
May’s decision to retire is part of a broader trend, with almost 100 MPs announcing they will not seek re-election. Among them are 64 Conservatives and former Conservatives, marking the highest number of Tories to retire from parliament since May entered the Commons in 1997.
While some have speculated that these retirements indicate a lack of confidence in Sunak and the Conservative Party’s prospects, Treasury Minister Gareth Davies emphasized that each MP has made their decision for personal reasons.
“It is completely reasonable for people to decide to leave parliament before an election,” Davies stated. He expressed personal sadness at May’s decision to step down and reiterated respect for the choices made by all MPs.
