Falmouth and Truro MP Sarah Newton has this evening announced that she will stand down at the next election.

Members of Parliament tonight rejected an attempt by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to hold a December 12 election, however he is set to try again on Tuesday.

Mrs Newton voted in favour of Mr Johnson's proposal, but it did not gain the two-thirds majority needed to pass.

This evening, Mrs Newton said: "While we don’t know when the next General Election will be, it is possible that it will be this year. After much careful thought I have decided not to seek re-election at the forthcoming General Election so that I can pursue other interests. 

"Making this statement now enables the Truro and Falmouth Conservative Association time to select a new Parliamentary candidate. Please be assured that in the time I have left as the local MP I will continue to work as hard as the day I was first elected.

"It has been a huge honour to represent Truro & Falmouth and I am proud of what I have achieved, working with many dynamic and creative local people in this constituency. I am very appreciative of the support that I have been given by many people in this great place."

Alan Dovey, chairman of Truro and Falmouth Conservatives, said: “We would like to thank Sarah for her exceptional work as our MP and also her service as a Government Minister.

“Sarah won the seat from the Liberal Democrats in 2010 – the first time the Truro constituency had been held by the Conservatives since 1974.

“She has been very visible in the constituency, standing up for residents and actively campaigning on a wide range of local issues.

“We are very sorry Sarah does not wish to seek re-election and wish her, her husband Alan and the family well for the future."

“We will now start a process to select a candidate to build on Sarah’s outstanding work.”

Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for the seat, Jennifer Forbes, has also reacted to the news.

She said: "I would like the thank Sarah for her service to the constituency.

"I believe now is the right time for change for my community. I have a vision for a more prosperous Cornwall, with well funded schools, hospitals and the action on climate change we desperately need to see."