The 49-year-old, who resigned as prime minister following June’s European Union referendum, has now decided that the time is right to step down from his role as Conservative MP for Witney, triggering a by-election in the Oxfordshire town.
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Cameron, 49, resigned his leadership post after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union.
Cameron, who came to power in 2010, said he had told Prime Minister Theresa May of his decision to stop representing his constituency in Oxfordshire to make way for someone who could concentrate on the area in central England.
David Cameron will turn his back on his political career, as the former prime minister prepares to spend more time watching his beloved West Ham United.
‘I think everything you do will become a big distraction and a big diversion from what the Government needs to do for our country and I support Theresa May, I think she’s got off to a great start, I think she can be a strong Prime Minister for our country and I don’t want to be that distraction. Cameron promised to support the Conservative Party candidate chosen to replace him in the by-election that will be held in order to fill the vacancy.
Cameron had served as a member of Parliament since 2001. In particular, she praised him for stabilizing the economy in the aftermath of the global financial crisis and his efforts at social reform.
Despite Cameron’s denial he quit in response to May’s school reform, The Times said the former prime minister wants the freedom to speak out on the matter.
The former prime minister was pilloried after the shock referendum defeat. “I wish her well, I wish the government well”, Cameron reportedly said.
Former chancellor and close ally George Osborne said it was a “sad day”, tweeting: “We came into Parliament together, had a great partnership + I will miss him alongside me on the green benches over the coming years”.
Len McCluskey, Unite general secretary, said: “While he may have chose to walk away the problems his austerity has created for the people of this country remain”.
“There’s no getting away from the fact that that will overshadow every other feature of his premiership”.
Cameron, 49, did not specify his plans for the future but said he wanted to remain in public service.
“I’m sure I will be remembered for keeping that pledge to hold a referendum when many people thought that promise would never be kept”.
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He had said he would continue as an MP until the next general election.
