Sir Tony Cunningham to stand down at next election
The Workington MP Sir Tony Cunningham has decided to stand down at the next election after thirteen years in parliament.
Trivia: Sir Tony Cunningham's varied career
- Sir Tony was born in Workington in 1952 and has spent most of his life there, working as a teacher before going into politics.
- His political career began locally, serving as Mayor of Workington and Leader of Allerdale Council in the 1990s.
- In 1994 he was elected to the European Parliament where he developed an interest in international development.
- In 1995 he published the Cunningham Report, which was the first report to call for the complete and outright ban of landmines.
- Before becoming an MP in 2001, he briefly worked as Chief Executive of the human rights organisation Indict, looking at authoritarian regimes such as Saddam Hussein's rule in Iraq.
- In his spare time Sir Tony is an avid sports fan, playing rugby and football and running regularly. While living in Zanzibar he even played first division soccer.
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'Time is right to retire' for Sir Tony Cunningham
After a long career in politics as a councillor, MEP, MP and government whip, Sir Tony Cunningham said "the time just feels right to go."
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Workington MP to step down at next election
Workington MP Sir Tony Cunningham has decided to stand down at the next election after thirteen years in parliament.