Former UK PM Theresa May Decides To Quit UK Parliament

Former British Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that she would not run in the next general election, putting her 27-year tenure in the UK parliament to an end.

May announced her decision to resign as MP for Maidenhead on Friday, stating that she will focus on advocating causes such as the battle against modern slavery.

In a statement to her local newspaper, the Maidenhead Advertiser, she said: “Since stepping down as prime minister I have enjoyed being a backbencher again.

“I am 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.”

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May, 67, was initially elected MP for Maidenhead in 1997 and then served as home secretary under David Cameron from 2010 to 2016, before succeeding him as Prime Minister.

Her three-year tenure in Downing Street was marked by political squabbles surrounding Brexit.

In a snap election in 2017, she lost her majority. However, she remained in Number 10 thanks to an agreement with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in the resulting hung parliament.

The former UK PM stated that it had been “an honour and a privilege” to serve as Maidenhead’s MP. She promised to continue working for her constituents until the general election, which is scheduled in the second half of the year.

She added: “As I pass on the baton, I will be ready to work with my successor to secure a Conservative victory in Maidenhead.

“I remain committed to supporting (current Prime Minister) Rishi Sunak and the government. And I believe that the Conservatives can win the election.

“I would like to thank all those who chose me to represent them as their member of parliament.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli