Why Kate Hoey MP will not stand in next general election
Labour MP had become controversial figure thanks to her pro-Brexit views
Kate Hoey has announced she will not seek re-election after 30 years as the Labour member for Vauxhall.
The 73-year-old tweeted a letter to constituents announcing her decision. She wrote: “Until the next general election I will of course continue every single day to give my all to help constituents in Vauxhall and to campaign for policies that make life better for residents.”
The Labour MP, who has represented the south London constituency since 1989, has become an increasingly controversial figure in recent years. She campaigned alongside Nigel Farage in favour of leaving the European Union during the referendum campaign.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Borough of Lambeth, which includes Vauxhall, 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”, says the London Evening Standard.
The Guardian says that Hoey “has consistently voted with the government to stop efforts for a soft Brexit or to oppose no deal” and points out “local anger grew” when she backed an amendment to the customs bill put forward by Jacob Rees-Mogg’s pro-Brexit European Research Group ruling out a customs border in the Irish Sea.
Last year, Hoey “suffered a vote of no confidence from her local party last year, when she was accused of ignoring her constituents over Brexit”, Sky News reports.
In addition, community website LondonSE1 says that Hoey has “long been a thorn in the side of Lambeth Council – whose Labour administration she has been unafraid to criticise”, adding that she has had a “difficult relationship” with her constituency party in recent years.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Labour’s left-wing Momentum group welcomed the news, accusing Hoey of being a “no deal supporting, anti gay rights, fox hunting advocate”.
The pro-Corbyn group tweeted: “She couldn't be more out of step with her Vauxhall constituents, and we look forward to backing a Corbyn supporting, socialist candidate in an open selection.”
According to The Guardian, those rumoured to be considering a run against Hoey are Laura Parker, Momentum’s national coordinator, and Katy Clark, a former Labour MP who currently works for Jeremy Corbyn.
-
5 seriously spooky cartoons about HalloweenCartoons Artists take on the GOP boogeyman, a white sheet, and more
-
Political cartoons for October 25Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include hospital bill trauma, Independence Day, and more
-
Roasted squash and apple soup recipeThe Week Recommends Autumnal soup is full of warming and hearty flavours
-
Five takeaways from Plaid Cymru’s historic Caerphilly by-election winThe Explainer The ‘big beasts’ were ‘humbled’ but there was disappointment for second-placed Reform too
-
The Chinese threat: No. 10’s evidence leads to more questionsTalking Point Keir Starmer is under pressure after collapsed spying trial
-
Taking the low road: why the SNP is still standing strongTalking Point Party is on track for a fifth consecutive victory in May’s Holyrood election, despite controversies and plummeting support
-
The end of ‘golden ticket’ asylum rightsThe Explainer Refugees lose automatic right to bring family over and must ‘earn’ indefinite right to remain
-
Is Britain turning into ‘Trump’s America’?Today’s Big Question Direction of UK politics reflects influence and funding from across the pond
-
Is Andy Burnham making a bid to replace Keir Starmer?Today's Big Question Mayor of Manchester on manoeuvres but faces a number of obstacles before he can even run
-
Angela Rayner: the rise and fall of a Labour stalwartIn the Spotlight Deputy prime minister resigned after she underpaid £40,000 in stamp duty
-
The runners and riders for the Labour deputy leadershipThe Explainer Race to replace Angela Rayner likely to come down to Starmer loyalist vs. soft-left MP supported by backbenchers and unions