Crawley MP Henry Smith to step down at next election

Mr Smith said he was "deeply grateful" to the local people for electing him to an "unprecedented" four terms in office

The Conservative MP for Crawley, Henry Smith, has announced he will not be seeking re-election.

In a statement released on Friday, he said it had been a "great honour" to represent the West Sussex constituency in parliament.

After four continuous terms in office, Mr Smith said it was "time for a new generation".

Having been elected in 2010, he won the last election in 2019 with a majority of more than 8,000.

Mr Smith was first elected to West Sussex County Council in 1997.

Six years later, in 2003, he became council leader.

'Deeply grateful'

In the statement, Mr Smith said he was "deeply grateful" for the support of Crawley Conservative Association and local people for electing him to an "unprecedented" four terms in office.

Mr Smith said he was proud of his involvement in supporting Gatwick's economy, achieving justice for Chagos islanders and helping deliver more police officers.

Under David Cameron's premiership, Mr Smith served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government until July 2016.

Under Theresa May's leadership, Mr Smith was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women & Equalities.

Mr Smith was pictured alongside former Prime Minister David Cameron at a visit to Crawley in 2014

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