Former British Prime Minister David Cameron resigns as Conservative MP for Witney, Oxfordshire, triggering a by-election

Former British PM David Cameron (AFP photo)

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron announces his decision to resign as Conservative MP for Witney, Oxfordshire, triggering a by-election. 

According to ITV news, Cameron said that he had informed Theresa May of his decision on Monday to quit and said he did not want to be a “distraction” for her. 

Cameron, who was the Conservative Prime Minister in 2010-2016, had said he would continue as an MP until the next general election.

The 49-year-old said he would have to "build a life outside Westminster" and said “in my view, 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."

"I hope I will continue to contribute in terms of public service."

He complimented May, his former home secretary, saying she had been "very understanding" and that she had "got off to a cracking start" as prime minister.

Asked about his legacy, he said he hoped his time would be remembered for a strong economy and "important social reforms" and that he had transformed a Conservative Party that was "in the doldrums" into a "modernizing force".

In June, Cameron has announced his resignation after Britons voted to leave the European Union. Cameron said he could not lead the country in the process of UK’s separation from the bloc. Theresa May was swiftly appointed as head of the UK government soon after.