Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw to step down
The Labour politician has been in the role since 1997
Last updated 3rd Feb 2022
Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw has announced that he will not be standing in the next general election.
After 25 years in the role, he says it has been a 'privilege' to represent the city.
The Labour politician says that he has decided to step down, as if he fought in the next election and won, he would be pushing 70 by the end of the next Parliament.
Mr Bradshaw says it feels like the right time to 'pass the baton on'.
"It is with considerable sadness that I have decided not to stand again at the next general election.
"There is never a perfect time to step down in politics and the exact timing is dictated by the electoral cycle.
"I will be 62 this year. If I fought the next election and won, I could be pushing 70 by the end of the next Parliament.
"So, with the Labour Party now in excellent hands with Keir Starmer’s leadership and in very good shape here in Exeter, the time feels right to pass the baton on."
Mr Bradshaw was selected to contest the marginal parliamentary seat of Exeter at the 1997 general election after the first choice candidate was deselected by the local Labour party on instructions from Labour party headquarters.
Mr Bradshaw adds: "I feel the luckiest person in the world to have had the privilege of representing this wonderful city and its people for the last twenty-five years. I will cherish the memories forever.
"I’d like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, the people of Exeter and members of Exeter Labour Party for all their love and support over the years and my friends and family, especially my husband Neal, for sustaining me through the rigours of public life.
"I am confident that Exeter’s and the country’s best years lie ahead and that whoever has the great fortune to become our city’s next MP will do a great job representing its people and taking the Exeter success story forward.
"I will, of course, continue proudly to represent Exeter at Westminster and work hard for the city for the rest of this Parliament, right up until the next general election, whenever that is called."