Sir James Duddridge MP to stand down at the next general election

Conservative MP Sir James Duddridge has announced he will stand down at the next general election.

Sir James has represented Rochford and Southend East since 2005 and served as a minister in the foreign office.

The politician wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday that he is "looking forward to new challenges".

He said his role "has been an honour," and added: "I will continue to serve my constituents."

Sir James had been a vocal supporter of Boris Johnson and was dismissed from his role as Minister of State for International Trade by newly-appointed prime minister Rishi Sunak in October 2022.

In a letter of resignation to Mr Sunak, Sir James said he made the decision "with regret".

"I think I have done my time. Forgive me for moving on to do other things," he wrote.

The MP added: "I am looking forward to new challenges and that old cliché, to spending more time in Southend with my family."

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