Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron is to step down as the MP for Witney, seemingly ending his political career.<br /><br /> The move will prompt a by-election in the Oxfordshire constituency.<br /><br /> He resigned as head of government in June, 2016, after failing to convince British and Northern Irish voters to remain in the European Union.<br /><br /> Relegated to the backbenches, he now says he doesn’t want to be a “distraction” to new Prime Minister Theresa May.<br /><br /> “With modern politics, with the circumstances of my resignation, it isn’t really possible to be a proper backbench MP, as a former prime minister. I think everything you do will become a big distraction and a big diversion from what the government needs to do for our country,” he said from Witney.<br /><br /> May, who was his Home Secretary (Interior Minister) at the time of the Brexit vote, has been “very understanding” about his decision, he said.<br /><br /> Witney has been a Conservative Party stronghold since 1974. After 15 years in the position, Cameron says he will give his full backing to the next Tory candidate for the constituency.<br /><br /> He denied claims his decision to quit was related to the new government’s moves towards introducing new grammar schools, a policy he was against during his time in office.<br /><br /> Cameron was, instead, keen to praise Theresa May’s first months as prime minister, saying she has “got off to a cracking start.”<br /><br /> While he may be remembered as the prime minister who led the UK out of the EU, Cameron said he hoped his tenure would be recalled for a strong economy, “important social reforms” and a transformation of the Conservative Party.<br />
