Chloe Smith MP said:
“I have stepped down from my ministerial post in the Cabinet Office to concentrate on the most important part of my job: being the Member of Parliament for Norwich North.
I wrote to the Prime Minister on the 19th of September to explain my decision, and that I intended to serve until the next reshuffle. He has thanked me for my three years of service as a Minister and given me his best wishes. In his letter, he thanked me for helping achieve “fundamental and lasting efficiencies” totaling £10bn of savings for the taxpayer last year.
I am proud to have served my country in this way but my constituents have always come first for me. They know the high standards and the hard work that I ask of myself as their MP.
I was only 27 when I was lucky enough to be elected to Parliament and I want to use this experience to communicate with a new generation of younger voters about public participation and the Conservative message.
As an elected Conservative Member of Parliament the Prime Minister and my party have my full support as we continue to fix the economy, reward hard work and do the right thing for Britain.”
Paul Wells Chairman of the Norwich Federation said
“Chloe Smith is a fantastic local Member of Parliament, and has served our country as a minister as well for three years of her four in Parliament.
“Her local track record is impressive from helping individual constituents, to pushing for transport improvements and leading a huge, successful local movement to get young Norwich into work. As she has explained to the Prime Minister, she has made this decision herself in order to do even more for her community.
“She is a tireless advocate for her constituency, and her decision to concentrate even more on this important work is the right one. I have known Chloe for many years and her dedication to her local work shines out. The Norwich Conservative Association supports her 100%.
“I am confident that local people will support her decision too.
“Norwich Conservatives have always campaigned day in day out for our community, led by Chloe. This will not change.”