North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker says he plans to run again for the seat at the next general election and wants to represent the constituency for “many years to come”.
It follows an announcement by Norwich South MP Chloe Smith to stand down at the next national poll.
Mr Baker - a first-term MP - said: “I love representing north Norfolk. I never intended to become an MP a few years ago but it has been an immense privilege to represent my home and I get an enormous amount of thanks from my constituents.”
Mr Baker described Ms Smith, 40, as an “honest, decent MP” who he would “miss a great deal”.
He said: “She’s been at the top of national politics for 15 years, that’s not something to be dismissed. She’s got a family and had a terrible cancer scare, so I can completely understand why she’d want to do something else after 15 years at the top.”
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