“My family and I moved to this great community 13 years ago, and my children have grown up and been educated here. I’m very proud of where they live and work.

“It is however with great regret and sadness and after a lot of thought and discussion with my wonderful family that I have decided not to stand at the next general election.

“I wish to echo the eloquence expressed by Barbara Follett in her recent resignation letter, there comes a time when you have to think hard about your commitments, and the time you spend away from your family and the difficulties, stresses and strains that ensue.

“For some reason known to a collection of moribund male MPs, disconnected I presume from the day to day care

requirements of a family, parliamentarians still work ludicrous hours and I am no longer happy to walk the streets home at 12 o’clock at night having finished work an hour or so earlier. It is neither sensible nor practical.

“Relinquishing your role as an MP is never an easy decision to make, the Labour Party and our aspirations have been something that I have lived with since the day I was born.

“I am so proud to be a member of our party, and I will remain committed to our values and our objectives. We are the party that will always stand by the vulnerable, campaign for equal rights for all, fight for the protection of the environment and invest in those so much poorer than ourselves throughout the world.

“There are difficult and unforeseen days ahead for us, and I trust you will do the best you possibly can for our future, our country and our people; we know this is an election that we must win. My family and I will continue to campaign in the coming months.

“I thank the people of Crosby and Formby from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity to represent them and I wish my successor the very best. Thank you for all your support over the years.”

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