The MP for Northampton South, Brian Binley, will not stand at the next General Election in 2015.
The Conservative MP announced on Monday that he is in remission from cancer, but said that at 71, he had decided he was too old to stand at the next General election in 2015.
He said: “I have decided not to stand for re-election as the MP for Northampton South.
“I will be 73 at the next election and I’ll have had 10 wonderful years in the House of Commons.
“I have made this decision on my own and have actually been asked to reconsider.
“But I’ve decided that 10 years in Parliament, at my age, is long enough.”
Mr Binley was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the start of the year and has been receiving treatment for the past six months at Northampton General Hospital. Recently, his doctors have told him that he is in remission.
The MP has been an outspoken critic of both David Cameron and George Osborne during his time in Parliament, but as he announced his decision not to stand for re-election, he was full of praise for the Prime Minister.
He said: “David Cameron is without doubt, the best leader in the House of Commons. His command of the chamber and his presentation skills are second to none.”
The 71-year-old first entered politics at just 17-years-old when he became a Young Conservative.
He later became a member of Northamptonshire County Council, rising to the position of cabinet member for finance in 2005 before resigning from the authority in 2009.
His decision to quit the county council came after he secured his first election victory in 2005,beating the previous Labour MP, Tony Clarke,by a majority of 4,419.
Despite initially suggesting he would only sit in Parliament for one term because of his age, he stood for election again in 2010 and increased his majority to 6,004.
As well as his work as Northampton South’s MP, Brian Binley is vice-chairman of the Government’s Business, Innovation and Skills Committee and an executive member of the powerful 1922 Committee of backbench MPs.
Outside politics, Mr Binley is a successful businessman and is still non-executive chairman of BCC Marketing Services Ltd,a company he set up in 1989.
The politician, who left school at 15 to work in Northamptonshire’s shoe trade, is also a Freemasons and a fan and shareholder of Northampton Town Football Club.
His departure means the Conservative Party will now begin the process of selecting a candidate to defend the seat in 2015.
Northampton North’s Conservative MP, Michael Ellis, said: “Brian has been an excellent MP for Northampton South.
“He’s always been the most positive of advocates for Northampton and he’s devoted his life to the Conservative Party and serving the people of Northampton.
“I look forward to working with him in the two years ahead.”
Northamptonshire’s Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, Adam Simmonds, added: “Brian Binley represented a robust personality for Northampton South and anybody who fills his shoes is going to have a difficult time doing that.
“He’s a formidable person and I wish him well in his journey into other things. I think a lot of people will miss him.”