The MP for Chelmsford has confirmed that he will not be standing for his seat in the upcoming General Election.

Sir Simon Burns will be stepping down from his role as a Conservative MP, a position he has held continuously for thirty years, having been first elected in 1987.

Sir Simon confirmed his decision to Essex Live just moments after Prime Minister Theresa May announced the snap election this morning (April 18).

Theresa May's announcement means Sir Simon is standing down
Theresa May's announcement means Sir Simon is standing down

Speaking outside Downing Street, Mrs May spoke of the need for a General Election in the wake of Brexit.

In order for the election to take place, the government will need two thirds of MPs to back the call in a vote expected to take place tomorrow.

Discussing the Prime Minister's decision to head to the polls early, Sir Simon Burns said: "I am, I suspect like almost everyone else in the country, surprised by the decision, but I can see the logic behind it.

"I do think it's the right time for a General Election, in so far as we're going to have it before the proper Brexit negotiations take place.

"There are a lot of divisions in Parliament at the moment, not within the Conservatives, but within the other parties.

"Mrs May wants to have her mandate to take the country through this tasking time."

Previously, Sir Simon had said that he would not stand in another General Election, which until today had been set for May 2020.

"I am indeed going," he added.

"Of course, I am very sad to go after 30 years in the job, and although there's been enormous satisfaction in helping people, I'm still sad.

"The time has come for a new face and a new approach to representing the people of Chelmsford .

"Now is the right time."

Sir Simon also confirmed that while the ongoing decision about constituency boundaries is decided, the imminent election will be fought on the current boundary system.