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Wrexham MP Ian Lucas will stand down at next election | Wrexham MP Ian Lucas will stand down at next election |
(32 minutes later) | |
The Labour Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has said he will not stand in the next general election. | The Labour Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has said he will not stand in the next general election. |
He said on Friday evening he had informed his constituency party of the decision for "personal and family reasons". | He said on Friday evening he had informed his constituency party of the decision for "personal and family reasons". |
Mr Lucas was elected in 2001 after predecessor John Marek became an assembly member. | Mr Lucas was elected in 2001 after predecessor John Marek became an assembly member. |
He held onto the Wrexham seat in 2017 with a majority of 1,832 votes - making it a key target for the Conservatives. | He held onto the Wrexham seat in 2017 with a majority of 1,832 votes - making it a key target for the Conservatives. |
In a letter to Labour colleagues, Mr Lucas said the job had been a "demanding responsibility". | In a letter to Labour colleagues, Mr Lucas said the job had been a "demanding responsibility". |
"I am 60 next year. I have been an MP since I was 40. I think the time is right for me to choose to follow a different path in the years to come," he said. | "I am 60 next year. I have been an MP since I was 40. I think the time is right for me to choose to follow a different path in the years to come," he said. |
He added: "Thank you all for your support and loyalty and I will continue to serve the people of Wrexham to the best of my ability until the next election comes." | He added: "Thank you all for your support and loyalty and I will continue to serve the people of Wrexham to the best of my ability until the next election comes." |
During the last Labour government, Mr Lucas held a junior ministerial post in the department of business, and had been an assistant whip. | |
He also sat in shadow opposition roles for Labour - lastly in defence until 2015. | |
As a pro-remain MP, Mr Lucas told BBC Wales last month that his opposition to Brexit could cost him the seat at an election. | |
"Of course it could - my majority is 1,832," he told the Wales Live programme. | |
In September, a man with a "vendetta" against the MP was jailed for 16 months for verbally abusing his wife and his public relations officer. | |
Juan Clegg said he would kill Mr Lucas' communications manager David Triggs and spat at him. |
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