With candidate nominations to close next week, the Labour Party are racing to select new representatives after two local candidates have withdrawn from July’s parliamentary election.
Northfield’s parliamentary candidate and Kings Norton North councillor Alex Aitken announced on social media that he would be stepping down from both roles due to ‘personal challenges’.
On his Facebook and X accounts last night (Tuesday 28th May), he announced: “It is therefore, with deep regret, that I am announcing that I will no longer be the Labour Candidate for Northfield. I will also be resigning as a Councillor to focus on my own wellbeing and ensure residents have a Councillor who is able to commit 100% to them.”
Thanking party members for their support, Mr Aitken went on to say: “I’m gutted to not have been able to see it through. But it is right to do this before nominations close so that Northfield can elect a Labour MP.
“I’ll continue to stand up for local people and fight for the Labour Government our country deserves.” Read Alex Aitken full statement
This morning (Wednesday 29th May), Selly Oak incumbent Steve McCabe announced he would be stepping down after 27 years serving south Birmingham in Parliament.
In a statement on Facebook, Mr McCabe wrote: “After much deliberation, I’ve made the difficult decision to stand down as the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Selly Oak and make way for someone new.
”It has been a privilege to serve as the Member of Parliament for the constituencies of Hall Green and then Selly Oak over the past 27 years.” Read Steve McCabe full statement
Parties have until just 7th June to finalise their nominations for the July 4th General Election.
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Alex Aitken statement in full:
“Just under a week ago the General Election was called, and since then I’ve been out and about campaigning for change with a Labour government.
“Northfield is, and has always been, my home – and I have always wanted to be able to represent my community to the best of my ability.
“However, due to some personal challenges that have arisen recently, it has become clear that I am unable to do so in order to focus on myself.
“This fight was always about much more than me – it was about giving Northfield the fresh start it deserves.
“It is therefore, with deep regret, that I am announcing that I will no longer be the Labour Candidate for Northfield. I will also be resigning as a Councillor to focus on my own wellbeing and ensure residents have a Councillor who is able to commit 100% to them.
“I’m deeply grateful for the support and trust that local members put in me, and I’m gutted to not have been able to see it through. But it is right to do this before nominations close so that Northfield can elect a Labour MP.
“I’ll continue to stand up for local people and fight for the Labour Government our country deserves.”
Steve McCabe statement in full:
“After much deliberation, I’ve made the difficult decision to stand down as the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Selly Oak and make way for someone new.
“It has been a privilege to serve as the Member of Parliament for the constituencies of Hall Green and then Selly Oak over the past 27 years.
“I’ve worked with many caring and talented people, from all sorts of backgrounds, who want the best for our communities and to make a difference. I am incredibly proud of the achievements of the Blair and Brown governments, ground-breaking policies like the Minimum Wage, Sure Start, Neighbourhood Policing, record spending on the NHS and Civil Partnerships, to name but a few.
“Representing the communities of Brandwood, Billesley, Bournville, Druids Heath, Selly Oak, Stirchley, and Hall Green has been the honour of my life. We have worked together to tackle rogue landlords, save Katie Road NHS Walk-In Centre, protect our local libraries, and much more. And we have come together for many social activities including my annual Veterans’ Day, the Great Get-Together, Cakes for Care Homes, and to collect donations for food banks. Together I think we have made a difference.
“The past 14 years have been hard. I’ve witnessed the damage done to so many of our public services and the impact of government decisions on the people I represent. Our country is in desperate need of change. I am convinced that Keir Starmer is the man who will deliver that change. He will lead a government which puts the public interest first and deliver the change the country needs.
“I’ve always tried to be a hardworking and straight-talking constituency MP. This has been a difficult decision, but I’ve often said I hoped I’d know when to go.
”I am committed to Keir Starmer’s Labour Party and his vision for our country, and I look forward to playing my part in delivering a Labour Government.
“I want to express my gratitude to all the Party members and volunteers who have supported me over the years and the people who have voted for me to represent them at a total of seven General Elections. It has been an honour.”
The old Longbridge Motor Works site is under Consultation. Would it be possible to have a Bear Grylls type Adventure centre? This would improve the physical and mental wellbeing of Youth and Families while generating an income. Purchasing Experience and Activities, as opposed to goods, benefits environment in the long term.
It’s also the perfect site to have a working Museum with people visiting the tunnels and other places of interest in the area.
Please help Longbridge.