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Putney MP Justine Greening to stand down at General Election

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LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Conservative MP Justine Greening walks in Westminster on December 12, 2018 in London, England. Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee, has received the necessary 48 letters (15% of the parliamentary party) from Conservative MP's that will trigger a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Theresa May. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

Conservative MP Justine Greening has said she will not stand at the next election, telling Prime Minister Boris Johnson she is “deeply concerned” about his approach over Brexit.

During her 14 years in parliament Greening, the MP for Putney, Roehampton and Southfields, has served as education secretary, transport secretary and international development secretary. She was the UK’s first openly gay Cabinet minister.

Her resignation follows threats made by government whips at the weekend that any Tory rebel would have the whip withdrawn and could be deselected before the next election. As of yesterday evening, there is a high chance that could be as early as 14 October.

In her resignation letter published this morning, Greening said “I believe it is now time for me to move onto other opportunities and challenges outside of parliament. I want you to know I will not be standing as Conservative candidate.”

Read more: Greening: It’s time for a woman Mayor of London

The pro-Remain MP added: “Like many people locally, I am deeply concerned by the Brexit approach taken by your government. To be clear, I remain the MP for my community and I am determined to work hard and represent my constituents on all the issues they care about, including on Brexit.

“However, it’s clear to me that whoever is next elected to represent our constituency, which voted over 70 per cent to Remain, they will similarly need to put our community views on Brexit first, ahead of any conflicting party interest.”

Greening joins the likes of former ministers Nick Boles, Oliver Letwin and Guto Bebb, and father of the House Ken Clarke, in confirming they will not stand at the next election.

Conservative backbencher Keith Simpson also said this morning he would not be standing at the next election.

On Labour’s side, prominent Brexiter Kate Hoey and many others including Gloria De Piero and Stephen Twigg are similarly not seeking re-election.

The Liberal Democrats’ Vince Cable and Norman Lamb are also set to retire.

Main image: Getty