Paul Scully won’t contest the seat he’s held since 2015 when he ousted former Lib Dem MP Paul Burstow who had held the seat since 1997.
The former minister also put his name in the ring to run against Sadiq Khan for the role of Mayor of London at the next elections in May.
However, he was not selected by his party, who instead chose Susan Hall.
Mr Scully’s statement in full.
I have told my local association that I won’t be contesting the next General Election. Over the last nine years it’s been a privilege to represent in Parliament, the area which I called home for 35 years
I’ll continue to represent Sutton, Cheam and Worcester Park proudly and diligently in the months to come.
My words above are speaking truth to power, not a sign that I believe we should have anything else but a Conservative government … there are plenty of colleagues in the parliamentary party and new MPs to come who will respond to the challenge in positive fashion.
Do that for the hard-working councillors and activists. But mainly do it for the people across the country whose voice we are.
