Hamilton MP Tommy McAvoy to step down after 23 years at Westminster

Feb 25 2010 by Douglas Dickie, Hamilton Advertiser

MP Tommy McAvoy has announced that he will not be standing at the next General Election.

The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP made his decision known last week. He steps aside after 23 years at Westminster.

The news has shocked the Labour Party, who now face the task of selecting a new candidate for the constituency.

The 66-year-old said he was standing down due to his age, however it is understood that he could no longer count on the support of several Labour groups in the constituency.

Mr McAvoy is the longest serving government whip in history, having taken on the role when Labour swept to power in 1997.

He was first elected to serve the old Glasgow Rutherglen constituency in 1987, taking over from Gregor MacKenzie. He fought furiously to have Rutherglen and Cambuslang taken out of Glasgow District Council, finally seeing his dream become a reality in 1996 with the creation of South Lanarkshire.

When boundary changes saw the creation of the Rutherglen and Hamilton West seat in 2005, Mr McAvoy was selected to stand and won the seat at a canter.

In a statement, Mr McAvoy said: “I have now reached the age of 66 and like anyone it is only natural to consider my future. Having considered all the factors involved I have concluded, after a lot of thought, the best thing for the local party and my family is to step down.

“I am proud to have been elected at successive elections as a Labour and Co-operative MP. I am also proud to have served 13 years within the Labour Government Whips Office.

“I was born and brought up in Rutherglen and to become the MP for your home town is an honour. It has also been a privilege to represent the communities of Cambuslang, Halfway and previously Toryglen.

“Since 2005 I have also been honoured to represent Blantyre, Burnbank and Hamilton West.

“I believe that locally I leave a party in good standing. I have greatly appreciated working with constituents, voluntary organisations and party members.

“Now is the time to look to the future. I am confident that the party will pick a worthy successor and that successor will have my full support.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to Mr McAvoy as a “titan of the House of Commons”.

A Labour Party spokesman said it could take some time before Labour’s candidate is decided. They said the party’s National Executive Committee would decide whether it would be an open or all-women selection before the local party decided on its preference.

Whoever takes over from Mr McAvoy will be defending one of the safest Labour seats in Scotland. His winning margin in 2005 was 16,112 – more than 55 per cent of the popular vote.

Although no date has been set, many observers expect the General Election to be held on May 6, the same day as local elections take place in England and Wales.