Theresa May, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has announced her decision not to contest in the upcoming general election and to resign as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Maidenhead, a position she has held for 27 years. In a series of statements, the 67-year-old Conservative Party politician expressed her intention to dedicate more time to combating modern slavery and human trafficking, areas she has been passionate about, particularly through her work with the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. May described her choice to step down as both challenging and significant, emphasizing the honor and privilege of serving her constituents in Maidenhead.

May’s political career has been noteworthy, having served as Home Secretary before her tenure as Prime Minister from July 2016 to July 2019. Her time in office was dominated by efforts to navigate the complexities of Brexit, an issue that eventually led to her resignation as Prime Minister after failing to secure support for her negotiation deal in the Commons. Despite these challenges, May remained committed to her constituency and broader social causes.

Her departure signifies a notable shift within the UK political landscape, notably among Conservative MPs, as others such as Nickie Aiken, Mike Freer, and Stephen Hammond, have also declared they will not seek re-election. May’s resignation and her focus on causes like modern slavery reflect a broader trend of political figures reevaluating their roles and priorities.

As May prepares to leave her parliamentary role, she has committed to supporting her successor and the Conservative Party in the forthcoming electoral contest. Her decision adds to the evolving dynamics of UK politics, heralding a period of change and the emergence of new leadership within the Conservative Party as well as in the broader political arena.