David Cameron is leaving politics to spend more time watching his beloved West Ham

David Cameron will turn his back on his political career, as the former prime minister prepares to spend more time watching his beloved West Ham United.

The 49-year-old, who resigned as prime minister following June's EU referendum, has now decided that the time is right to step down from his role as Conservative MP for Witney, triggering a by-election in the Oxfordshire town. Mr Cameron, who has represented Witney since 2001, explained that while he did not intend to be a distraction for new PM Theresa May, his decision to call time on his political career was motivated almost entirely by his desire to attend more West Ham matches. In a statement, he said: In my view, the circumstances of my resignation as Prime Minister and the realities of modern politics make it very difficult to continue on the backbenches without the risk of becoming a diversion to the important decisions that lie ahead for my successor in Downing Street and the Government.  Added to all this, I've been a bit cheesed off at the start to the season West Ham have made since moving to their new stadium. You can say what you will about me only wanting out because of all this talk of new grammar schools, the truth is I just want to start lending my vocal support to the boys since the move from Birmingham. People soon forget, but I was a West Ham fan long before my impossibly smooth face started popping up in the House of Commons - I even had that weird green and black away shirt in the mid nineties (one of those which had 'Muller' on the front). Anyway, I won't be talked out of this decision and I look forward to seeing the side get back into the Premier League after what happened to the club under Randy Lerner. I'm forever blowing bubbles and up the Villa to all of you! You'll never walk alone,  Dave. Read more from SportsJOE...