I just found this interesting list of MPs who are retiring at the next General Election - click on the title of this entry to see them all.
A few surprises I had missed somewhere along the line.
No more Michael Howard or his bete noir Ann Widdecombe.
Phil Willis who I shall always remember on May 2nd 1997, going into the school where he was headmaster to tell the kids he had just been elected as a LibDem MP quite out of the blue and would not be back!
And some friends of mine; Colin Challen, who I worked with for five years in Yorkshire, my fellow GMB conspirator. I expect he is going off to do some Environmental work. Colin, if you catch this, let me know what you are up to. Richard Caborn in Sheffield, longest serving Sports Minister, lovely man with a lovely family.
Chris McCafferty, one of the best MPs I ever campaigned for, if not the actual best. Her work with women on the international stage has never received the credit it deserved. She has been marvellous on those subjects that nobody likes to talk about - tax on sanitary towels and tampons, female genital mutilation, enforced sterilisation programmes. Not a high flyer, nor a Minister, but her contribution to women's rights has been fantastic and she has achieved so much in her time in office. She is the kind of politician that makes you proud to be a Labour Party member.
3 comments:
"And some friends of mine; Colin Challen, who I worked with for five years in Yorkshire, my fellow GMB conspirator. I expect he is going off to do some Environmental work"
yes, at the time he announced his retirement, it was reported that would work in a climate change taskforce along with Sir Nicholas Stern.
His current seat (Morley and Rothwell) will be effected by boundary changes...pratically there will be a new Morley and Outwood constituency taking 2/3 of the old Morley and Rothwell and 1/3 of the old Normanton (which will be abolished).
Normanton MP is Ed Balls..he applied to the new Morley and Outwood, so raising the prospect of a Challen vs Balls fight. However just before the start of the selection process Challen got this new opportunity and decided to stand down leaving the new seat to Balls. The Tories accused Brown of cronysm.
Me and Marek would pay good money to see a Head Balls fight- sounds great, what channel will it be shown on
I should say how sad I am about Alan Simpson retiring. I have written and told him so. Another one of my most favourite politicians, I admire him tremendously
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