Cameron Steps Down

David Cameron has quit as Conservative MP for Witney saying that he did not want to be a distraction for Theresa May.

19:22 13 September 2016

Former UK PM David Cameron has stood down as an MP saying he did not want to be a “distraction” for new PM Theresa May.

 

Mr Cameron, who resigned as prime minister following Brexit, has represented Witney since 2001, becoming Conservative leader in 2005 and PM in 2010.

 

He clarified that his decision to step down has nothing to do with the government’s moves towards allowing new grammar schools, a policy he rejected as PM.

 

Speaking in Witney, he said it had been a “great honour” to be an MP for the area but he have to step down as it would be difficult for him to remain on the backbenches without becoming “a big distraction and a big diversion.”

 

"Obviously I'm going to have my own views about different issues," he said.

 

"People would know that and that's really the point. As a former prime minister it is very difficult, I think, to sit as a backbencher and not be an enormous diversion and distraction from what the government is doing."

 

Mr Cameron said that Mrs May had been “very understanding” when he told her of his decision.