New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Politics
13 January 2017

Why many more Labour MPs could follow Tristram Hunt out of Westminster

The party's poll ratings, Jeremy Corbyn's leadership and the boundary changes are pushing MPs towards the exit.

By George Eaton

Tristram Hunt’s resignation is sudden but hardly unexpected. Bright, young and ambitious, the historian entered politics with the hope of becoming a cabinet minister. But Labour has never been further from power. His party is led by Jeremy Corbyn, to whom he is implacably opposed, and his Stoke seat is due to be abolished in the boundary changes (posing the prospect of a tricky selection contest). In these circumstances, only a masochist would have declined the chance to become director of the V&A. 

Hunt’s announcement follows that of Jamie Reed, who is resigning his Copeland seat to become Head of Development and Community Relations for Sellafield power station. Labour MPs believe that many more will follow. The party’s parlous poll ratings, Jeremy Corbyn’s re-election (in defiance of 80 per cent of MPs), the boundary review (the first since 2010) and opportunities outside parliament all mean that Westminster is an increasingly unattractive berth.

Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month
Content from our partners
An old Rioja, a simple Claret,and a Burgundy far too nice to put in risotto
Antimicrobial Resistance: Why urgent action is needed
The role and purpose of social housing continues to evolve