Matt Hancock has confirmed that he will not seek re-election as MP for West Suffolk following his stint on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
The former health secretary sparked much controversy following his decision to appear on the ITV reality show, in which he finished in an impressive third place.
Hancock had the Conservative Party whip removed over the furore and he had faced deselection by his local party members ahead of the next general election, which will be held by January 2025 at the latest.
In a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Hancock wrote: "The Conservative Party must now reconnect with the public we serve. There was a time when I thought the only way to influence the public debate was in parliament, but I've realised there's far more to it than that.
"I have increasingly come to believe that for a healthy democracy we must find new ways to reach people - especially those who are disengaged with politics.
"The revival of modern conservatism over the next decade will, I suspect, take place as much outside parliament as in it.
"For my part, I want to do things differently, I have discovered a whole new world of possibilities which I am excited to explore - new ways for me to communicate with people of all ages and from all backgrounds."
Hancock, who was paid a reported £400,000 for his time in the jungle, will soon be seen on Channel 4's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. body check tags ::
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