A LONG-SERVING Yorkshire MP has said he's not standing for re-election.

East Yorkshire MP Sir Greg Knight is set to stand down after first becoming an MP in 1983 and representing the East Yorkshire seat since 2001.

The Conservative said he continued to fully support Rishi Sunak as prime minister and expects the UK will recover from world-wide economic challenges.

Sir Greg is one of several Conservative MPs who has announced they will be standing down at the next general election, set for no later than January 2025.

York Press: Sir Greg Knight Sir Greg Knight

High profile departures include former Chancellor Sajid Javid, ex-Justice Secretary Dominic Raab, 1922 Committee Chair Graham Brady and former Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Three Conservative MPs including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned within 24 hours of each other earlier this month after the Privileges Committee’s Downing Street lockdown parties findings were published.

Sir Greg said he was stepping down at the next election because there were other activities he wanted to pursue, including writing and supporting the historic vehicle movement.

He added he would continue on as an MP until the next election.

The Conservative said: “I have decided that the next election is the time for someone else to take over the role of representing this beautiful part of the country at Westminster.

“It has been both an honour and a privilege to represent East Yorkshire in Parliament.

“There have been many challenges and not all battles have been won but I am pleased that in many individual cases I have been able to use my experience as a solicitor to help countless local people to resolve their problems.

“I wish to thank the public for their support at the ballot box and also the members of the East Yorkshire Constituency Conservative Association for the tremendous support I have received over the past 22 years.

“I have full confidence in Rishi Sunak as prime minister and I expect our country to soon bounce back and recover from the present world-wide economic challenges.”

Sir Greg began his parliamentary career by taking Derby North for the Conservatives from Labour, becoming the first MP from his party to represent the seat.

He went on to serve under Margaret Thatcher, John Major and David Cameron in roles including deputy chief whip, industry minister and a vice chamberlain of the Royal Household.

The MP went on to join the privy council in 1995 and was knighted for his services to politics in 2013.

His time in parliament has seen him pass two private member’s bills, one which changed the law around the estates of deceased people.

Another which sought to curb unreasonable parking charges is due to come into effect soon.

Sir Greg also played drums in the MP4 rock band along with Labour MP Ian Cawsey, the SNP’s Peter Wishart and Welsh Labour’s Kevin Brennan.

He also made headlines in 2017 when he released a campaign video featuring its own theme song, urging voters to: “get it right, vote for Greg Knight”.