Labour MP Ann Cryer to step down

12:29am Thursday 21st August 2008

Campaigning Labour MP Ann Cryer has announced she would step down from parliament at the next general election.

She was elected MP for Keighley in 1997 and has campaigned on issues including forced marriage, domestic violence and improving the human rights of women. She also opposed military intervention in Iraq.

She told Labour Party members of her intention at a meeting in her constituency. The 68-year-old said: "For many reasons, mainly concerning my age, health and decreasing energy levels, I have taken the decision to stand down as MP for Keighley at the next general election.

"My campaigns on behalf of some of our most vulnerable people are coming to fruition, the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act comes into effect in September. This Act, along with new immigration rules I have been calling for, will help many young women and to a lesser extent men to have a greater say in the conduct of their own lives.

"I would like to thank the people of my constituency, who it has been an absolute privilege to represent for the last 11 years in Parliament.

"Of course none of us are aware of when the next election will be called, but my work and that of my office will continue on behalf of constituents until then.

"I will also be doing all I can to help promote whoever is selected as Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for the next election, illustrating the difference Labour has made for the Keighley constituency to ensure it continues to have a Labour MP after the next election."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Ann Cryer has been a distinguished servant of the people of Keighley for many years - first assisting her late husband Bob Cryer, who represented the seat between 1974 and 1983, and then as the Labour MP for the seat since 1997. For over 20 years Ann has been battling for Keighley - fighting its corner, articulating its needs, representing its best hopes.

"She knows every inch of her constituency and her understanding of its communities is second to none.

"After encountering a number of forced marriages among her constituents, she mounted a brave campaign to highlight the sometimes appalling mistreatment of women forced to be brides. Her ceaseless campaigning contributed to a number of changes to the law, including the introduction of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act."

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