I have decided that I will not seek the nomination as the Conservative Party candidate for the Cities of London & Westminster at the next General Election.
It has been the greatest honour of my life to be an elected public servant for 18 years, first as a Westminster City Councillor, where I held Cabinet Member positions before becoming Council Leader and latterly as the Member of Parliament for the Cities of London and Westminster, the first woman to represent the City in Parliament.
I have been privileged to represent the most diverse and vibrant part of London, with its rich culture and history.
This is not a decision I have taken lightly. My husband, Alex, who has supported me steadfastly throughout my political career, has accepted a job offer overseas and he deserves my full support as he pursues a new career.
I will always be grateful for the support of the wonderful people of the City of London and the City of Westminster, local councillors and my Conservative Association.
Whilst a councillor, I was proud to spearhead the Don’t Be Idle campaign - cleaning up our air, to launch City Lions - inspiring our next generation, to introduce the gang intervention unit - cutting serious youth crime, to put in place the voluntary community contribution - giving local people funding for projects in their neighbourhoods, and to launch the largest council housebuilding programme Westminster has seen in a generation.
As a Member of Parliament, I’ve worked tirelessly to secure pedicabs legislation, raised awareness of workplace rights for fertility treatment, supported the most vulnerable in our society and led the campaign to repeal the 1824 Vagrancy Act, fought to save our buses, launched our plan to make our streets safer, secured a pioneering newborn screening programme, and supported our children by securing changes to the Domestic Abuse Bill to recognise children living in abusive households as victims too. I’ve brought leasehold reform to the front of the Government’s agenda, won the case for a short-term lets register, spoken out on women’s health issues, and championed our businesses to give them the support they needed.
I also want to pay tribute and deep thanks to my outstanding Parliamentary and Constituency Office team. Without their dedication to both the constituency and myself, I would not have achieved so much since entering Parliament.
I remain loyal to my Party and our Prime Minister. I will remain in the UK, and as the MP for the Cities of London & Westminster, until the General Election is called, and I will continue to work hard for my constituents and campaign on the issues I believe in. I will continue to work on our local campaigns such as e-bike regulation, leasehold reform, professional certificates for delivery cyclists, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and the implementation of our pedicabs licensing scheme.
