Linda Riordan: Why I am standing down

Halifax MP Linda Riordan told her local newspaper that poor health has prompted her decision to stand down at the General Election and that the decision was an "incredibly tough" one .

She told the Halifax Evening Courier: "Over recent weeks and months my health, particularly my long-standing rheumatoid arthritis, has made it increasingly difficult to carry out the job as effectively as I would like. I think this decision is the best one for the people of Halifax and the constituency. I don’t want to go into a vital General Election campaign knowing that I can’t give that campaign the energy and commitment it needs."

Mrs Riordan informed her local Labour Party colleagues of her decision last night and a formal announcement is expected to follow today. Halifax is one of the battleground seats in May’s election with Labour defending a majority of just 1,472 from 2010.

Leaving her decision until so close to election day means that the party nationally will be able to exert more control over who is selected to stand in the town.

Mrs Riordan continued: "I would like to thank Halifax residents for putting their trust in me to serve two terms as MP. I would also like to thank local Labour Party Members who have supported me over the last decade. Finally, I also want to say how grateful I have been for the hard work of my staff, past and present, who have been committed, loyal and dedicated.

“Over the next few weeks I will continue to represent constituents to the best of my ability. There are some big issues and challenges ahead for the town. Not least, the ongoing campaign to save Calderdale Royal Hospital A & E from closure. I will go on speaking out on that and other issues that matter for communities across Halifax. It has been a real honour to have been Labour MP for the town I was born, grew up in and have always lived in."