Andy Burnham becomes the TENTH Labour MP to throw in the towel as he quits to concentrate on his Manchester Mayoral campaign
ANDY BURNHAM will not stand for another term as the MP for Leigh so he can focus on his campaign to become the Mayor of Manchester.
The former Shadow Health Secretary quit Jeremy Corbyn's top team live on stage at last year's party conference.
He said he had always intended to stand down as an MP - but the news of a snap election has sped up his decision.
The MP for Leigh since 2001, Mr Burnham told : "I owe everything to the people of this area...
"It has been an incredible privilege to serve this great town as its fifth Labour MP.
"I can honestly say that I have given this job my all and done my best to put Leigh on the map."
Mr Burnham went on: "In standing to be the first elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, I am of course still seeking to represent Leigh on the national stage, alongside the other towns and cities of Greater Manchester.
";That is why I am still in the position of asking for your vote next month.
"Some things will never change!"
And Dave Anderson, Labour's Shadow Scottish and Northern Ireland Secretary became the first of Mr Corbyn's current top team to say he will be quitting politics in June - citing health concerns.
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They are part of a growing list of Labour MPs to announce they will not be fighting the next election - now set for June 8.
Brexit-backing Gisela Stuart followed the Business Committee Iain Wright and Lewisham MP Jim Dowd in saying they would be stepping down.
They were joined by Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson, Andrew Smith, Tom Blenkinson, Pat Glass and Rob Marris who all have decided to ditch Labour.
A cluster of the seats now up for grabs are in the North West of England - which Theresa May is set to target in her planning.
Yesterday she held her first election rally in the Brexit heartland of Bolton - in a sign she will attempt to woo over old Labour voters and those who may be tempted to back Ukip.
