Former prime minister Theresa May has said she will be standing down as an MP at the next election.
In a statement, she said she had taken the "difficult decision" to vacate her Maidenhead seat after 27 years.
Mrs May, prime minister from 2016 to 2019, said causes such as tackling modern slavery were taking an "increasing amount" of her time.
But she is now one of 64 Tory MPs who have announced their decision to leave the Commons.
They include former ministers Dominic Raab, Chris Grayling, Ben Wallace, Sajid Javid and George Eustice.
In the statement to the Maidenhead Advertiser, she said she had "always done her best" to respond to the needs of local people.
Mrs May, 67, became prime minister in July 2016 after the resignation of David Cameron following the Brexit referendum. She had been his home secretary for six years and was a chief architect of the so-called "hostile environment" for immigrants, which led to "go home" vans being sent into areas with large migrant communities.
Her three years in Downing Street were dogged by the Brexit aftermath.
A snap election in 2017 saw her lose her majority, but she remained at Number 10 after striking a deal with the DUP.
Eventually, opposition to her proposed Brexit deal led to Conservative MPs holding a confidence vote in her leadership, and although she survived her authority was diminished and she announced her resignation in a tearful speech five months later.
Her leadership style was often described by critics as "robotic" - something she famously answered with a "Maybot" dance before a Conservative party conference.
She was replaced by Boris Johnson, who faced criticism from Mrs May from the backbenches, before he left Downing Street following a mass revolt by ministers over his leadership, sparked by scandals including Partygate.
Mrs May is now one of 64 Tory MPs and about 100 from across all parties who will stand down at the end of this parliament.
She said: "Since stepping down as prime minister I have enjoyed being a backbencher again and 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.
"I have therefore taken the difficult decision to stand down at the next general election."
She said she remained committed to supporting Rishi Sunak, the current prime minister, and added that she believed the Conservatives could win the election, which is expected to be held later this year.
Mrs May said there was "no greater privilege" than being an MP, and said serving as prime minister and home secretary would "not have been possible" without the people of Maidenhead.
Gareth Davies, a Treasury minister, said he was saddened by the decision. "I think it's very good when former leaders stay in the House of Commons and contribute to debates," he told Sky News.
"She's certainly brought a lot to debates since she's stood down, and so I'm very sad personally, but wish her well and I think she's justified in moving on after 27 years."
He denied that the number of Tories standing down indicated a lack of confidence in the party's prospects. "This is what happens when you approach a new election," he said.
Anneliese Dodds, the shadow secretary of state for women and equalities, said Mrs May's decision was further evidence of a lack of confidence in Rishi Sunak.
"I think this really strengthens those calls for change, those calls for a general election," she said.
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2024-03-08 08:11:31Z
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