Former mayor Andy Street has released a statement about the electoral MP’s candidacy after “thinking long and hard”

Andy Street has ruled out running as an MP in this year’s general election. The former West Midlands mayor said he “decided not” to run because the job was “never” for him.

The Tory candidate lost a close mayoral contest to Labour’s Richard Parker earlier this month. His decision not to stand for parliament will no doubt be a blow to Rishi Sunak, who is desperate to fill the vacant seats amid an exodus of Tory MPs.

Mr Street, 60, said he had “thought long and hard” about attending GE on July 4, but that it would be “very difficult” for him to “retire” from being chief executive. He said he still has an “overwhelming sense of duty to continue to serve in a public role.”

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In a statement posted on his social media accounts last night, former doctor John Lewis added: “Many will now assume I am destined to return to business – but I still feel I have much to contribute to public life in a leadership role . and I look forward to exploring opportunities to do just that.”

Andy Street’s statement in full

“I have always said that I never wanted to go to Westminster and that being Mayor of the West Midlands was the right political role for me. But the truth is, since I lost the mayoral election earlier this month, I haven’t been able to shake the overwhelming sense of duty to continue serving in a public role.

“That’s why I thought long and hard whether to try to run for Parliament in the upcoming general elections and become a deputy. In the end, though, I decided against it.

“Being an MP is a job of great importance, but it was never for me. True, I have been an executive leader for 20 years now and it would be extremely difficult for me to step back from it at this point.

“However, I still believe strongly in my brand of moderate and inclusive conservatism, and I will continue to use my voice fiercely to support that approach – come July 4th.

“Many will now assume that I am destined to return to business – but I still feel that I have much to contribute to public life in a leadership role and look forward to exploring opportunities to do just that. Finally, I just wanted to say thank you for all your continued support, it really means a tremendous amount to me.”