Chris Grayling, the former transport secretary, has become the latest Conservative MP to announce he is standing down at the next general election.
Grayling said he had been successfully treated for prostate cancer this year and the diagnosis had led him to decide it was “time for a change”.
He is among more than 40 Tories who have announced they will not defend their seat in the election which is expected next year.
A mixture of new and long-serving MPs, including those who, like Grayling, have held high office, had previously announced their departures. They include former cabinet ministers Sajid Javid, Dominic Raab and Matt Hancock, “red wall” MP Dehenna Davison and Eurosceptic veteran Bill Cash.
Grayling has been MP for Epsom and Ewell in Surrey since 2001 and served in the administrations of David Cameron and his successor, Theresa May.
The 61-year-old was transport secretary from 2016 to 2019 where he was given the moniker “Failing Grayling” by opposition MPs over his handling of rail timetable changes which caused mass disruption and a £33m Brexit payout to EuroTunnel.
In a statement posted on social media, Grayling said: “I am writing to let you know that I told the Conservative association AGM on Wednesday that I would not be standing again for parliament at the next election.
“Earlier this year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and although the treatment has been successful, it has prompted me to think that after 22 years it is time for a change.
“The association will now move ahead and select my successor as Conservative candidate.
“I am very grateful to you for the support I have been given by you all over the years. I will obviously carry on working as normal until the election and will hope to see you at one of the upcoming events.”
Grayling also served as minister of state at the Department for Work and Pensions from 2010 until 2012.
He was lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice from 2012 until 2015 and was leader of the House of Commons in 2015 for a year.
