A London Conservative MP has announced he will not fight the next general election, saying his time in office "has required great sacrifices in my personal and professional lives".
Matthew Offord has been the MP for Hendon since 2010 and is the first London Tory to confirm they will step down before Britain heads to the polls again next year.
He said resigning would mean he was "able to pursue other interests in my life".
”It has been an honour to represent the people of Hendon since 2010 and to work with the many groups and communities that make up the vibrant and diverse nature of the constituency,” he said.
“My elected status has required great sacrifices in my personal and professional lives, and I have concluded that the next general election is the time for me to leave the baton for someone else to take up."
Mr Offord is the 34th Tory MP to confirm they will not fight the next election, expected next Autumn.
London expected to see a raft of new MPs at the next election.
The capital is due to gain two new constituencies in boundary changes, one in Stratford and another south of the river. Veteran Labour MPs Harriet Harman, Dame Margaret Hodge and Jon Cruddas are also due to retire.
Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott and Neil Coyle remain suspended by the party and it is unclear whether any of the them will regain the whip before the election.
