William Hague steps down as British foreign secretary

Hague will be ending his political career after spending 26 years as an MP.

LONDON: In a surprising move, Britain's William Hague announced his resignation as foreign secretary to become a leader of the lower house of parliament on Monday, part of a reshuffle of the Conservative-led government.

"Tonight I am standing down as Foreign Secretary after four years to serve as Leader of the House of Commons," Hague wrote on Twitter. He also ruled out running in the 2015 elections. "I will not stand as an MP in the May 2015 General Election."

Tonight I am standing down as Foreign Secretary after 4 years to serve as Leader of the House of Commons

— William Hague (@WilliamJHague) July 14, 2014

Hague further wrote that his role as Leader of the house will mean that he will speak in the parliament and campaign among voters.

Role as Leader of the House means I will finish in politics as I began – speaking in Parliament and campaigning among the voters

— William Hague (@WilliamJHague) July 14, 2014

He said that he will be working on taking forward the UK campaign to end sexual violence.

I will take forward the UK campaign to end sexual violence in conflict as the PM’s Special Representative

— William Hague (@WilliamJHague) July 14, 2014

The secretary said the reason for resigning was that wished to embark on to other things in life.

From May 2015, after such a long period in politics I want to embark on many other things I have always wanted to do

— William Hague (@WilliamJHague) July 14, 2014

The member of the parliament will be resigning after 26 years.

Renewal in politics is good, and holding office is not an end in itself. After 26 years as an MP time will be right for me to move on

— William Hague (@WilliamJHague) July 14, 2014