Labour’s longest-serving MP to step down

Barry Sheerman, 81, who has been Labour MP for Huddersfield since 1979, has announced that he is stepping down at the next election.

One of the country’s longest-serving MPs, Mr Sheerman said it had been “the honour of my life” to represent the people of Huddersfield in parliament. 

He told BBC Radio Leeds his decision to stand down was “quite easy”, adding he was “not getting any younger”.

Mr Sheerman is the longest-serving Labour MP and the second-longest continuous serving MP in the House of Commons, behind Father of the House and Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley.

Announcing his departure in a Tweet, Mr Sheerman thanked his constituents “for the kindness, support and warmth you have shown me”.