Labour’s Mike Amesbury, shadow minister for local governance, has resigned. He said he wanted to focus on his constituents.
In a letter to Keir Starmer, Labour leader, the MP for Weaver Vale in Cheshire made his decision.
He stated that his constituents were increasingly dependent on his assistance and that he could not give the shadow role the energy it requires.
He said that the rising living costs had caused a “sustained rise” in people who needed his assistance.
According to the MP, a local food bank reported a 27% increase in usage since the beginning of the year.
He wrote, “At both election I promised that I would place my constituents’ first”,
“I feel that I cannot give the role as shadow local government minister the energy and passion it requires if I continue to do so.”
Keir Starmer first appointed Mr Amesbury to the role of shadow levelling up and housing team in April 2020. He had previously been shadow employment minister.
Before assuming his current role in December, he was part of the shadow-housing team.
He continued his letter by saying: “The combination a decade of Tory austerity and the impact of the pandemic have all resulted in a sustained rise in the number constituents who need my assistance.
“As inflation bites me, I will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all who only ask for a fair deal to them and their families.
“I will provide support and voice from behind the benches.”
Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, shadow levelling-up minister and Wigan MP, tweeted that the news had been received with great pleasure and that her constituents were lucky to have her.
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