General Election: Sir John Redwood to stand down
Veteran Conservative MP Sir John Redwood has said he will stand down at the upcoming general election.
He has represented Wokingham in Parliament since 1987 and was twice an unsuccessful candidate for the leadership of the Conservative Party in the 1990s.
The 72-year-old said: "I have decided not to put my name forward in the forthcoming election. I have other things I wish to do."
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced there will be a general election on 4 July.
'A privilege to represent Wokingham'
Writing in an online blog, Sir Redwood said: "It has been a privilege to represent Wokingham in nine Parliaments.
"I have drawn many of my campaigns from the views I have heard on doorsteps and read in my email box. We have achieved good things together for our local community and the wider nation."
He also referenced the work he has done to support the Conservative council at the local elections.
The long serving politician added that he will continue to contribute to the debates about public policy.
Sir John Redwood was Secretary of State for Wales in the in John Major's government.
In 2015 he called for an overhaul of how BBC News covers the regions of England.
Follow BBC South on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240.
