Geoffrey Robinson to stand down as MP...

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Robinson revealed his decision had been made because of ill health



Coventry North West Labour MP Geoffrey Robinson has announced he is to step down after 43 years in the role.

Mr Robinson, who was first elected to the seat in 1976, revealed his decision had been made because of ill health.

In a letter released on Twitter this afternoon the 81-year-old said: “I’m writing to you personally to inform you that sadly due to ill health, I have decided not to stand for re-election, and therefore I will not be seeking the Labour Party nomination to become a Parliamentary Candidate for Coventry North West.

“I have had the honour of serving as the Member of Parliament for Coventry North West since winning the by-election in March 1976.”

Mr Robinson described being an MP for the city as “a privilege and a pleasure” but that it could not “go on for ever”.

He added: “Every day has been a privilege and a pleasure but it can’t go on for ever and the electoral cycle means that each incumbent has to think again about what’s best for them, the constituency and the party.

“There is nothing more important or rewarding than helping people, however I need to be fully fit to be able to undertake the job properly.”

Acknowledging his health had been an issue for some time Mr Robinson wrote: “The last few months have been a challenge and I would like to thank everyone for sending me so many kind messages and good wishes during that time.”

He also made a plea that his successor should be someone local.

Good riddance!

[rebbonk]

Nothing to do with recent 'allegations' then?

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Coventry North West general election Labour shortlist has these 2 names - amid protests

A SHORTLIST of two candidates to fight Coventry North West for Labour amid a ‘stitch-up’ furore comprises a London politician and a local trade unionist. we can reveal.

The shortlist was drawn up at regional party HQ yesterday despite a walk-out by local constituency party officials, as we reported yesterday.

Local members have been up in arms that experienced Coventry councillors who applied had been left off longlists drawn up by national officials under emergency rules.

As we have been reporting, local constituency parties Coventry North West and Coventry South have claimed the procedures have been unfairly hijacked to bypass local democracy and effectively ‘parachute in’ national candidates favoured by the national party leadership.

The party insists its ‘snap election’ rules have been properly applied for the high-demand city seats, and that choices have been made on merit.

We understand the Coventry North West shortlist is…

Taiwo Owatemi – from Greenwich, London. Considered a rising star nationally, a young Fabian and health campaigner. She works as a pharmacist.

Des Arthur- official for the Communication Workers Union (CWU) at Coventry Royal Mail. Local but has little political experience beyond the union and has not been selected so far for Coventry City Council.

We revealed last night the two names on the Coventry South shortlist, where there have been similar protests.

Constituency party members are now set to hold selection meetings to decide who their candidates will be to fight the next general election from their shortlists.

It follows the decisions of veteran MPs Geoffrey Robinson and Jim Cunningham to step down at the next election.

[rebbonk]

This wouldn't exactly endear me to the Labour party. I hope others think the same.