Poplar and Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick announces he won’t stand for re-election
MPs are to confirm their intention for the next election as the first step in the “trigger” selection process. Jim Fitzpatrick is the first Labour MP to declare he will not be standing in the next General election.
Labour Heartlands have campaigned for the Last 18 mouths to bring in Open selection, Open selection is a possess where every MP must stand to be reselected.
Jim Fitzpatrick said he would not fight the next election in the Poplar and Limehouse seat.
Labour HQ asked if I’ll stand again, here is my official response. In the event of a snap election a volunteer parachutist may be needed if no time for full selection procedures to represent the great seat of Poplar and Limehouse!! pic.twitter.com/HGWsRim4Wb
— Jim Fitzpatrick (@FitzMP) June 25, 2019
Mr Fitzpatrick, who served in government under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, shared a photo of his re-selection form confirming that he would not seek to stand again as a candidate.
He has been in Parliament since 1997 and his decision will create a vacancy in the safe Labour seat of Poplar and Limehouse.
Mr Fitzpatrick has been at odds with the party over Brexit and his decision to stand down came as Labour’s shadow cabinet considered its position on whether to support remaining in the EU in a second referendum.
Labour MPs have been given until July 8 to say whether they wish to stand for re-selection in their seats as the party gears up for a general election.
Mr Fitzpatrick said: “In the event of a snap election, a volunteer parachutist may be needed if (there is) no time for full selection procedures to represent the great seat of Poplar and Limehouse.”
Mr Fitzpatrick rebelled to back Theresa May’s Brexit deal in March and his decision to stand down comes as the party again examines its policy on leaving the European Union.
Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson said that it would be “history making” if the party explicitly backed supporting a vote to remain in the European Union in a new referendum.
Tom Watson fails to realise there is no second referendum he is now three years overdue in his statement.
Labour has already indicated that any deal should be put to a public vote and Mr Watson has warned the party would be “electoral history” if it did not make it clear it supports Remain.
But shadow cabinet sources played down the chances of a major announcement following today’s meeting.
One told Press Association there was unlikely to be a “big bang” moment while another said they would “play down expectations” from the meeting.
Press Association
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