The MP, who won her seat in 2010 with a 1,951 majority, said she was finding it increasingly difficult to juggle family responsibilities with her political career and her decision to quit politics was "devastating but necessary".
The by-election is to be held on 15 November - the same day as elections for police and crime commissioners are held across England and Wales. Plus by-elections in Cardiff South and Manchester Central. The mayoral election in Bristol is also taking place on the same day. It is the first Conservative-held seat to be contested since the 2010 election and will be a major test for David Cameron and the coalition government.
Writing to the prime minister to announce her resignation, Mrs Mensch said: "As you know, I have been struggling for some time to find the best outcome for my family life, and have decided, in order to keep us together, to move to New York. With the greatest regret, I am thus resigning as a MP." She thanked the prime minister for his support during her time in Parliament, saying it had been an "honour" to fill the role.
In his response, the prime minister said it had not been an "easy decision" for the MP. "It is with enormous regret that I accept your resignation as the MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, a seat that had been Labour for thirteen years before you," the PM said. "I do so only because I wish to support you in acting in the best interests of your family, which must come first."
Mrs Mensch's contribution as an MP was praised by a number of MPs, with Labour's John Woodcock describing her as a "breath of fresh air". But Nadine Dorries (Con Bedfordshire Mid) - a critic of David Cameron - tweeted: "Interesting that Mensch was managing her working hours through the PMs office and not the usual channel of the whips office?"
Andy Sawford, Labour's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Corby and East Northamptonshire, said: "Louise Mensch was obviously struggling to balance being MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire with her family and business commitments. I respect her for the honest way she talked about this and her decision to step down."
Turning to the campaign Mr Sawford said: "Labour is now looking forward to the campaign ahead, fighting for action on jobs and the economy, supporting our local services which are facing massive cuts and working with local community organisations. During the by-election we will focus on the two wasted years of Tory policies that have taken the country back into recession and left Corby suffering job losses in both the public and private sector".
Nigel Farage the Leader of UKIP tweeted: "Bit shocked at Louise Mensch's resignation. Another success for Cameron's A List...." Mr Farage asked by a number of people if he was going to stand for UKIP in Northampton East & Corby he declined to answer, so that is probably.
It has been suggested by some that the London Mayor Boris Johnson may put himself forward as the Conservative candidate to get back into Parliament. However with a small majority of less than 2000, even Boris Johnson, despite being more popular than most Conservatives isn't going to turn that this one around for the Conservatives. If he did manage to pull it off the taxpayer would get a ten million pound bill for a by-election at City Hall.
Writing to the prime minister to announce her resignation, Mrs Mensch said: "As you know, I have been struggling for some time to find the best outcome for my family life, and have decided, in order to keep us together, to move to New York. With the greatest regret, I am thus resigning as a MP." She thanked the prime minister for his support during her time in Parliament, saying it had been an "honour" to fill the role.
In his response, the prime minister said it had not been an "easy decision" for the MP. "It is with enormous regret that I accept your resignation as the MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, a seat that had been Labour for thirteen years before you," the PM said. "I do so only because I wish to support you in acting in the best interests of your family, which must come first."
Mrs Mensch's contribution as an MP was praised by a number of MPs, with Labour's John Woodcock describing her as a "breath of fresh air". But Nadine Dorries (Con Bedfordshire Mid) - a critic of David Cameron - tweeted: "Interesting that Mensch was managing her working hours through the PMs office and not the usual channel of the whips office?"
Andy Sawford, Labour's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Corby and East Northamptonshire, said: "Louise Mensch was obviously struggling to balance being MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire with her family and business commitments. I respect her for the honest way she talked about this and her decision to step down."
Turning to the campaign Mr Sawford said: "Labour is now looking forward to the campaign ahead, fighting for action on jobs and the economy, supporting our local services which are facing massive cuts and working with local community organisations. During the by-election we will focus on the two wasted years of Tory policies that have taken the country back into recession and left Corby suffering job losses in both the public and private sector".
Nigel Farage the Leader of UKIP tweeted: "Bit shocked at Louise Mensch's resignation. Another success for Cameron's A List...." Mr Farage asked by a number of people if he was going to stand for UKIP in Northampton East & Corby he declined to answer, so that is probably.
The Respect MP George Galloway tweeted: "A parliamentary by-election in Corby....Hmmm. Interesting..." So Respect will be putting forward a candidate as that is what he said before Bradford West, which he won, and he said the same when Manchester Central was announced on the same day.
It has been suggested by some that the London Mayor Boris Johnson may put himself forward as the Conservative candidate to get back into Parliament. However with a small majority of less than 2000, even Boris Johnson, despite being more popular than most Conservatives isn't going to turn that this one around for the Conservatives. If he did manage to pull it off the taxpayer would get a ten million pound bill for a by-election at City Hall.
The British National Party's Roy Davies did stand in Northampton East & Corby in 2010, but it is BNP policy not to speak to blogs, "freelance" journalists or indeed members of the public. So I'm unable to get conformation whether they will be standing or not.
