Theresa May has said she is standing down as an MP.

The former prime minister, who grew up in Wheatley and attended St Hugh's College, Oxford, has represented Maidenhead for 27 years.

In a statement to the Maidenhead Advertiser, 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.

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“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.”

Mrs May was born in Eastbourne. Her father was a Church of England clergyman who was chaplain of an Eastbourne hospital.

He later became vicar of Enstone with Heythrop and finally of St Mary's at Wheatley.

She initially attended Heythrop Primary School followed by St. Juliana's Convent School for Girls, a Roman Catholic independent school in Begbroke, which closed in 1984.

At the age of 13, she won a place at the former Holton Park Girls' Grammar School, a state school in Wheatley.

During her time as a pupil, the Oxfordshire education system was reorganised, and the school became the new Wheatley Park Comprehensive School.

In her statement, Mrs May, 67, said it had been “an honour and a privilege” to serve as Maidenhead’s MP and vowed to continue working for her constituents until the general election, which is expected in the second half of this year.

She added: “As I pass the baton on I will be working with my successor to secure a Conservative victory in Maidenhead.

"I remain committed to supporting Rishi Sunak and the Government and believe that the Conservatives can win the election.

“I would like to thank all those who chose me to represent them as their Member of Parliament.”

Almost 100 MPs have now announced they will not fight their seats at the next election, including 64 Conservatives and former Conservatives.

It is the most Tories to retire from Parliament since Mrs May entered the Commons in 1997.