The Kent MP who succeeds Anne Widdecombe has announced she will stand down at the next general election.
Helen Grant, who replaced Widdecombe as MP for Maidstone and the Weald in 2010, said that while “major surgery and cancer treatment” in 2023-24 cleared her of the disease, it “reinforced her view that now is the right time to pass the baton”.
In a post on X on Sunday evening, her office said she had originally intended to make her decision public earlier this month, but delayed it “as a sign of respect” following news of Widdecombe’s alleged murder.
Grant called representing both constituencies “the greatest privilege of my professional life.”
The statement said: “At the annual general meeting of the Maidstone and Malling Conservative Association on July 10, Helen Grant OBE confirmed that she will stand down as MP at the next general election, expected in 2029.
“Ms Grant noted that she will have served 19 years in Parliament by the time this election comes around and expressed pride in what has been achieved in partnership with local MPs and constituents.”
“She now wants to ensure that her successor has a period during which he can strengthen his authority in the district.”
The MP for the newly formed Maidstone and Malling constituency following the 2024 boundary changes, Grant also confirmed to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch that she intends to step down as shadow solicitor general in the next reshuffle.
Grant recently called for a monument to be erected in Parliament for Widdecombe, who was found dead at his home in Devon on July 9.
A 28-year-old white British man has been arrested on suspicion of her murder.
Counter-terrorism police said they suspected she was killed in a “targeted attack”, adding that detectives were working to establish a motive.
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