VETERAN Liverpool MP Bob Wareing has withdrawn from the upcoming General Election.
The 78-year-old delivered a blistering attack on New Labour and Gordon Brown’s government as he announced his decision.
More than two years ago, the renowned left-winger lost a selection battle in West Derby against former Cabinet minister Stephen Twigg, who is now the official Labour candidate.
Since then, Mr Wareing has vowed to contest the seat for Independent Labour.
He also told party members he was confident he would “wipe the floor” with Mr Twigg, who famously defeated top Tory Michael Portillo in 1997.
But since then, Mr Wareing, who has represented West Derby for 27 years, has been embroiled in rows over expenses for dry cleaning and become increasingly alienated from former Labour colleagues. Mr Wareing said: “The governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are unrecognisable as Labour governments.
“They have continued the privatisation policies of Margaret Thatcher.”
