Says that it would hard for her to vote Conservative

Justine Greening has written to her constituents to bid farewell as MP for Putney after representing the area for over 14 years.

With the end of the current parliament on 5 November she has ceased to be a member of parliament and has already declared her intention not to stand at the next General Election.

She says in the letter, “During my time as MP I’ve campaigned on many local issues, not least Heathrow and protecting our local quality of life and the environment from aircraft noise and pollution.. I’ve also worked to improve our local transport services at train and tube stations, as well as working on health, crime, housing and many other areas. I’ve always also campaigned on the national issues that matter to us, including on Brexit, but also on an issue that has defined my life and matters more to me than any other – social mobility and equality of opportunity.”

She said that local residents’ associations and community groups in Putney do a ‘brilliant job’ and that she would remain involved in local matters adding ‘so if you do see me, do still say hello!”

She is now going to concentrate on improving social mobility saying that ‘whatever happens on Brexit, Britain won’t truly be successful until it is a country that has equality of opportunity.”

You can join her social mobility pledge campaign at www.socialmobilitypledge.org.

Shortly after sending out the letter she was interviewed by BBC 5live's Emma Barnett. When asked about the current political situation she said, "I certainly don't want to see us getting on with what I think will be a very damaging deal for Britain. So it will be very hard for me to vote for the Conservatives if I'm looking at what they stand for on Brexit.

"Brexit is part of what will drive how I vote along with millions of other people, It's not the whole story. I'm still a centre-right Conservative-minded voter and indeed politician but I have had a fundamental difference with my party on Brexit and so like many people in this country I'm going to have to weigh it up."

The Conservatives have selected Will Sweet, a Wandsworth Borough councillor, to replace her as their candidate.

November 8, 2019