Mark Field, Tory MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, has announced he will not stand in the next general election due to the “fractious and febrile” political atmosphere.
Mr Field, who has held the seat since 2001, said in a statement to his local association he was proud of his reputation as a “moderate, consensual MP, invariably keen to work effectively across party lines to the benefit of constituents and communities alike”.
But he added: “However, such a pragmatic, co-operative approach to public service has been tested to destruction in the fractious, febrile and deeply divisive aftermath to the EU referendum in 2016.
“I had dearly hoped that by the time of the next general election these issues would have been resolved. However, it is increasingly clear that divisions over Brexit and our future relationship with the EU-27 will dominate and define domestic politics for many years to come.”
Mr Fields caused controversy this summer after he was filmed manhandling an environmental protester at the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech.
