Straight after helping with this litter pick I went to a very emotional meeting where Ian McCartney MP told members of the local Constituency that he was standing down as MP for Makerfield at the next general election due to health reasons.
I personally found Ian's decision both upsetting and understandable. I have worked with him in different ways since 1987 when he was first elected as MP for Makerfield and have seen at first hand how driven he is to make things better for the Constituency and his constituents.In that time I have also been struck by the respect paid to him by people of all walks of life regardless of their political views.
I list below just a few of his achievements
Spokesman for Health, Employment,Education and Social Services in Labour's Shadow Government
Minister of State at the DTI following Labour's landslide victory in 1997. Here he was responsible for the introduction of the first ever right to paid holidays and the National Minimum Wage.
Minister of State at the Cabinet office
Minister of State for Pensions at the DWP
Chairman of the Labour Party from 2003-2005
His campaigns have included the registration of bouncers and compulsory fire retardant materials for furniture - a measure which must have saved thousands of lives since its introduction. He played a leading part in securing a large investment for flood prevention in Ashton following the floods of 2002. And finally he is in the forefront of campaigning to get more resources for Ashton town centre
Whoever wins the seat at the next election Ian will be a very hard act to follow..
1 comment:
Well said Nigel.
I am not a Labour supporter but I respect Ian McCartney - He is a good constituency MP and as you say will be a hard act to follow.
I wish him well in retirement.
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