FORMER BRITISH PRIME Minister David Cameron is stepping down as a Member of Parliament at Westminster, effectively ending his political career.
The former Tory leader, who stepped down as Prime Minister in July after Britain voted to leave the European Union, has held his seat in Witney in Oxfordshire since 2001.
He told his successor Theresa May of his decision to stand down this afternoon, and is said to have decided he is unable to be a full constituency MP due to his past as leader of Her Majesty’s Government.
In an interview with ITV, Cameron said:
In my view, with modern politics, with the circumstances of my resignation it isn’t really possible to be a proper backbench MP as a former prime minister.
I think everything you do will become a big distraction and a big diversion from what the government needs to do for our country.
Cameron said that Theresa May was “very understanding” of his decision, which will trigger a by-election.
“Obviously I’m going to have to start to build a life outside Westminster,” he said as he announced his decision in Witney. “I hope I will continue to contribute in terms of public service.”
Cameron said he’d remain as an MP just two months ago, and his sudden change of heart has prompted speculation from political correspondents in London that it may be down to differences with Theresa May.
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