Robin Walker is to step down as Worcester’s MP at the next election.

The MP, who has represented the city for 13 years, has announced he will not contest the next General Election.

Mr Walker, who was selected as Parliamentary candidate in 2006 and first elected in 2010, said he feels he has achieved many of the things he set out to do in parliament.

But now he wants to prioritise his family and let someone else step forward as Conservative candidate for Worcester.

Mr Walker’s top priorities in Parliament have been to secure investment in Worcester’s NHS, schools and infrastructure as well as to support businesses and the economy.

In a letter to the chair of the Worcester Conservative Association, Mr Walker highlighted investments at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, including the £15m upgrade to its A&E currently underway, the delivery of fairer funding for schools and new schools for the city, faster rail connections and the delivery of key transport projects such as Worcestershire Parkway and the dualling of the Southern Link Road.

He wrote: “I have come to the conclusion that my young family needs me to be more present and that the strains of living in two places and weekend commitments involved with the life of an MP are not ones I can continue to sustain.

“With young children starting school and nursery respectively I want to be able to take more time to support them and watch them grow up.

“I will therefore not be seeking re-adoption as the parliamentary candidate for Worcester at the next General Election. I am confident that, with the strong team you have in place locally and the excellent talent in the party, you will be able to find a strong candidate and, with our party leadership in excellent hands, the team will be able to secure a fifth consecutive Conservative victory in Worcester.

“In the meantime, I look forward to continuing my work as local MP and to speak up on ongoing campaigns such as securing funded places at our new medical school and securing the future of the Worcester Warriors in whatever time is available ahead of a General Election.

“With my team, I will continue to hold regular surgeries and support constituents wherever possible.”