READING WEST MP Sir Alok Sharma has announced he will not stand in the next General Election.
The COP26 president from 2020-21 confirmed on Tuesday evening he had informed his local Conservative Association that he would not be putting himself forward as the party’s candidate for the new Reading West & Mid Berkshire seat.
Sir Alok has been the MP for Reading West since 2010.
In a statement published on his social media accounts, Sir Alok said: “I have this evening informed my local Conservative Association that I have decided not to stand at the next General Election and therefore do not seek to be adopted as the Conservative candidate for the revised seat of Reading West & Mid Berkshire.
I have this evening informed my local Conservative Association that I have decided not to stand at the next General Election
My statement below
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— Sir Alok Sharma (@AlokSharma_RDG) September 26, 2023
“This has not been an easy decision for me. It has been the honour of my life to serve as the MP for a constituency in the town where I grew up and a privilege to serve in Government and represent the UK on the international stage.
“My grateful thanks to all the constituents, local organisations, charities and businesses I have had the pleasure of working with, since being selected as the parliamentary candidate in 2006, as we have campaigned together on a whole range of issues to make our local area a better place to live and work.
“I will continue to support my Conservative colleagues and serve my constituents diligently for the remainder of my time as an MP, as well as champion in Parliament the causes I care deeply about, especially climate action.”
