Hardcore Brexiteer Kate Hoey will quit as a Labour MP at the next election, she revealed today.
The divisive Northern Irish politician was facing a concerted effort to have her deselected for her Leave support, frequent rebellions against the whip and for appearing alongside Nigel Farage during the referendum campaign.
In a statement posted on Twitter the former sports minister she said she would ‘not seek re-election as a Labour candidate’ – which may lead to speculation that the 73-year-old might stand for another party in a Leave friendly seat.
Her constituency of Vauxhall in south London, which she has held for 30 years, voted overwhelmingly to Remain in 2016 and she lost a no-confidence vote last year.
It will provide a tempting target for the Remainer Liberal Democrats despite Ms Hoey’s 20,250 majority.
And among the Labour front-runners is Laura Parker, a senior figure in the hard Left pro-Corbyn Momentum group, who dismissed claims of anti-Semitism last year as ‘mud-slinging’ in an interview with the Times.
Labour MPs have been given a deadline of today to indicate whether they wish to stand at the next election, fueling speculation about efforts to deselect them.
Ms Hoey (left) was a member of Labour Leave and then joined Grassroots Out, whose leaders included then Ukip-leader Nigel Farage (right, pictured at a campaign event in 2016)
Former minister Stephen Twigg also announced he wound not contest the next election today. He has represented Labour West Derby since 2010, having been Enfield Southgate MP – succeeding Michael Portillo – between 1997 and 2005.
Ms Hoey has represented Vauxhall in south London since 1989
Posting a picture of her party form saying she would not stand at the next election, Ms Hoey said: ‘Having stated at the 2015 General Election that I would not seek re-election in 2020 I was persuaded to fight the unexpected General Election of 2017.
‘Now that the national Labour Party has started the process for the 2022 election I have decided that after 30 years as the MP for Vauxhall I will not seek re-election as a Labour candidate.’
Last year, Ms Hoey suffered a vote of no confidence from her local party, which accused her of ignoring the views of her constituents over Brexit.
The Borough of Lambeth, which includes the Vauxhall constituency, voted 78.6 per cent to stay in the European Union in the 2016 referendum – the highest proportion of Remain voters of any area aside from Gibraltar.
Labour is in complete meltdown over anti-Semitism and Brexit.
MPs had been given a deadline of today to confirm they would stand again at the next election amid rumours Jeremy Corbyn loyalists are planning an attempted purge of those not sufficiently loyal to the party leader.
Harriet Harman was among those who paid tribute, thanking Ms Hoey for her ‘dedication and commitment over so many years’.
‘On housing, or health care, on opportunities – you have fought for your constituents and it has been a pleasure to work with you as your neighbour. (Saying nothing about your views on Brexit!!),’ Ms Harman said.
Ms Hoey is something of an outlying figure within Labour.
She was a member of Labour Leave and then joined Grassroots Out, whose leaders included then Ukip-leader Mr Farage and ex-Labour MP George Galloway.
Her decision to line up with them prompted widespread criticism from within Labour.
She has continued to campaign for Brexit, taking part in Leave Means Leave events with Brexiteers including Tory Jacob Rees-Mog, Wetherspoons’ chairman Tim Martin and Richard Tice, both now of the Brexit Party, and Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Sammy Wilson.
She followed the Labour whip in opposing Theresa May’s Brexit deal – because it was not extreme enough.
The Ulster-born politician is also a rare supporter of foxhunting who opposed the 2004 ban and became chairman of lobbying group the Countryside Alliance.
She was also a passionate supporter of the Union, leading to suggestions that the former Marxist would be more at home in the DUP.
Ms Hoey (third right) at a Leave Means Leave event in December alongside Tory Jacob Rees-Mog, Wetherspoons’ chairman Tim Martin and Richard Tice, both now of the Brexit Party, and Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Sammy Wilson
Ms Hoey added: ‘I will carry on until a general election serving with the energy, honesty and integrity that I have tried to bring to public service my whole life.
‘It remains a huge privilege to serve this special part of London. I have had wonderful staff over the years some with me for over 20 years and I thank them all for their personal support.
‘I am profoundly grateful to those party members, local residents, community groups and trade unions with whom I have worked and campaigned over so many years.’