WELLS MP James Heappey will not stand at the next general election to “prioritise (his) family and pursue a different career”.

The Armed Forces Minister, who has represented the constituency for the Conservatives since 2015, announced the decision today in a letter to John Osman, chair of the Wells & Mendip Hills Conservative Association.

“After much reflection, I am afraid I have taken the painful decision not to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming general election,” Mr Heappey said.

He said “a great deal in my life has changed over the last few years” and he had concluded “now is the time to step away from politics”.

“The opportunity to serve the communities within the Wells constituency for the last nine years has been the greatest honour of my life,” the former Army officer went on.

“For all the derision – plenty of it deserved – politics remains a vital endeavour in which just one person from each community in our country sits in our parliament with the opportunity to speak up for those they represent and to shape our country for the better.

“I hope that in my time as a member of parliament, I have been able to do both.”

READ MORE: How Somerset MPs are shaping what you see on Facebook – and why
READ MORE: General election polling – what could happen where YOU live?

The news comes the day after fellow Conservative – and former minister – Brandon Lewis (Con, Great Yarmouth), also announced he will not stand at the next general election, and in the same week former prime minister Theresa May also revealed she was stepping down.

Currently, the total number of Conservative MPs to have confirmed they will not stand at the next election stands at more than 60.

It comes as the party looks at a deficit of around 20 points in most general election polls, suggesting many could lose their seats when the country votes this year.

Former MP Tessa Munt is set to fight the new Wells seat for the Liberal Democrats

In Wells, which will become the Wells and Mendip Hills constituency at the next poll, former Lib Dem MP Tessa Munt has been selected as the candidate.

Current polling by Electoral Calculus (EC) for the new constituency shows the Lib Dems with a 56% chance of winning the seat, the Conservatives 38%.

Here is James Heappey’s letter in full:

Dear John,

After much reflection, I am afraid I have taken the painful decision not to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming General Election. I am enormously grateful to the new Wells & Mendip Hills Conservative Association for having selected me as their candidate at the Special General Meeting last year but, as you know, a great deal has changed in my life over the last few years and I have concluded that now is the time to step away from politics, prioritise my family, and pursue a different career.

When the then-Wells Conservative Association selected a recently retired Army officer and complete political novice as their candidate eleven years ago, you took a real risk. I will always be thankful that you did. The opportunity to serve the communities within the Wells Constituency for the last nine years had been the greatest honour of my life. For all the derision – plenty of it deserved – politics remains a vital endeavour in which just one person from each community in our country sits in our parliament with the opportunity to speak up for those they represent and to shape our country for the better. I hope that in my time as a Member of Parliament I have been able to do both.

The members of the Wells Conservative Association have been unfailingly supportive over the last decade or so and I thank them all for the friendship and encouragement they’ve given. I’d like to particularly thanks Carol, Michael, Nigel, David and, of course, you for your leadership of the association during turbulent political times and for the personal support you’ve all given me. I’ve been equally well supported by my incredibly hardworking parliamentary staff and the team of dedicated campaigners at Somerset Conservatives, as well as the brilliant Max Hopfl who masterminded three General Election victories.

The Wells Constituency splits into four and I look forward to working with whomever you choose to replace me, as well as Sir Ashley Fox, Faye Purbrick and Lucy Trimmel, to ensure that all four constituencies return fantastic Conservative MPs at the next General Election. I have no doubt that our corner of Somerset will be brilliantly represented by the four of them.

In the meantime, I will support Rishi Sunak as our party leader and Prime Minister in Government, until such time as he wishes me to step down, and then from the backbenches. My constituents can be assured of my full commitment until the end of this Parliament. Whilst serving in Government is a great privilege for any parliamentarian, the greatest honour of all is to be elected as a Member of Parliament in the first place. I intend to make each of my remaining days in Westminster count in the service of my amazing constituency and I will be forever grateful to my constituents for bestowing on me the opportunity to do so.