Theresa May becomes latest Tory MP to step down before election, saying ‘it has been an honour to serve’ – UK politics live

Former PM says she remains committed to supporting Sunak as she decides to ‘pass the baton on’ after 27 years

Treasury minister Gareth Davies has denied the number of Conservative MPs stepping down signifies a lack of confidence in the party’s electoral prospects.

He told Sky News he was “personally sad” to see Theresa May step down after “a pretty good innings” of “27 years of service not just to her constituents but I think as one of our longest serving home secretaries and then obviously prime minister as well.”

This is what happens when you approach a new election, and completely reasonable for people to decide that it’s time to go, particularly when they’ve been in the House of Commons for a long time.

Each one has made their own decision for personal reasons and I respect every single person’s decision to do so.

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