May criticises ‘coarsening’ political debate after announcing plan to step down

Theresa May has criticised a “coarsening” of political debate in recent years after announcing she will stand down at the next general election, bringing a 27-year career in Parliament to an end.

The former prime minister on Friday joined an exodus of Tories from the Commons, citing a desire to focus on supporting causes including the fight against modern slavery.

But she also found fault with the current political climate in an article for The Times newspaper, saying she had seen “less respect for others’ views” over the course of her time in Parliament.