Nigel Farage, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) member and MEP, addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU, in Strasbourg, France, April 5, 2017. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

(Reuters) - Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage said he will not be standing in Britain’s 2017 election, in a opinion piece for the Daily Telegraph.

Farage said he wanted to focus on getting Britain’s exit from the European Union on the right terms.

“I believe I can use my profile in European politics to put real pressure on MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) to vote for a sensible deal,” Farage said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May called on Tuesday for an early election on June 8.