OTLEY'S former MP will not be standing for election again unless there is a 'realignment' of British politics.
Otley-based Greg Mulholland was Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West for 12 years before losing the seat to Labour last June.
There has been speculation about whether he would be contesting the next election ever since - until now.
Mr Mulholland told the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer: "I will not be standing for the Liberal Democrats in Leeds North West at the next election.
"The way I lost my seat last year was such a shock.
"One day I was working hard on various issues and envisaging being in the job at least for three more years, then the next an election was called...and just eight weeks later I had lost my job, my career, our family income and actually, to a great extent, my identity.
"With no possibility of making any alternative plans this made it very challenging and at first I really didn’t have a clue what I might do next, which is a scary position to be in.
"I was fortunate that an action group I had helped campaign for asked me to do some work and this gave me an alternative potential future to consider.
"As a result I have set up as a specialist campaigning and public affairs consultant, focusing on challenging issues of injustice or assisting with positive change." 
Though proud of his record as a campaigning MP, Mr Mulholland describes current British politics as being 'in turmoil' and is not sure if he will ever re-enter the fold.
He said: "I knew the day after the EU referendum that politics would be in chaos and indeed that I might lose my job as a result.
"Whilst there are those on the opposite ends of the political spectrum who will be happy at the way party politics has gone, many people don’t know who to vote for and where to turn.
"We urgently need a strong, progressive, hopeful but reasonable and realistic force to appeal to all those who feel alienated by the two main parties, both of which are involved in bitter and unsustainable infighting.
"I profoundly hope we do see a much-needed re-alignment of British politics."
The enforced change, meanwhile, has given the former MP more time to spend with his wife, Raegan, and children Isabel, Madeleine and Ava.
He said: "It’s very tough being the partner of an MP and surgeries, meetings and events meant I was busy and rarely around to do normal parental duties which was tough for my wife and also meant I missed out on time I would otherwise have been wanting to spend with my daughters.
"Since last year my family have got used to me being around and I’ve realised how much I missed. I’ve been doing drop offs and pick ups for gymnastics, football, swimming, Brownies and Guides and being a hands-on dad.
"The age my daughters are now, and where they are with school, means I just don’t feel it would be right to be spending hours on the campaign trail and then potentially going down to London every week."
He has also been able to devote more time to music as the singer and guitarist of local folk-rock band Summercross.
He said: "We have nearly finished our first album, My Northern Heart, so I hope we can get this done and out soon.
"I’ve also written a song for the Rugby League State of Mind charity www.stateofmindsport.org, who do a brilliant job using the power of sport to encourage people, especially men, to talk about depression and mental illness."
Looking ahead, he added: "I will find other ways to challenge and change things and contribute to community and society.
"I am still Chair of the British Pub Confederation and still involved with trying to stop the ongoing exploitation of tied pub landlords by pubcos, I'm a Vice President of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, an Otley Ambassador, Patron of the Kidz in Kampz charity based in Holt Park, and President of Otley Pub Club.
"So I fully intend to remain an engaged and interested member of the wonderful local community in Wharfedale I was so privileged to represent as Member of Parliament for 12 years."