Senior MP Wright to step down

Monday, 21 July 2008 12:00 AM

Public administration committee chairman Tony Wright will step down at the next election, his office has confirmed.

Dr Wright, the Labour member for Cannock Chase, will not trigger a by-election with an immediate resignation on the grounds of ill health.

Instead he will wait until the next general election before giving up his seat. This must take place by May 2010.

"Although I am still very active now, future uncertainties about my health make it sensible for me to decide to stand down at the next election," Dr Wright said.

"So I am resigning in order to spend more time with my doctors."

Dr Wright was first elected for Labour in the 1992 election and has been chairman of the influential public administration select committee since 1999.

He is currently receiving treatment for leukemia and kidney disease, including chemotherapy.

Dr Wright's decision to hold on until 2010 will be a relief for Gordon Brown, whose electoral credibility has come under strain because of a string of recent by-elections.

Labour currently holds a majority of 9,227 in Cannock Chase.

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