MP issues demand for return to party ranks
MP SIMON Danczuk says Theresa May’s decision to call a snap general election on June 8 means Labour must ‘urgently’ reinstate him to the party.
Mrs May made the surprise announcement on the steps of Downing Street on Tuesday morning as Westminster returned after the Easter break.
The Prime Minister argued that for the sake of ‘stability’ and ‘unity’ Britain must now go to the polls.
The news sent shockwaves through the political establishment and led many Labour MPs to privately predict meltdown for their party.
Mr Danczuk – who has been suspended from the Labour party since the start of last year over texts he sent to a teenager – demanded he be reinstated.
Otherwise he would simply stand as an independent, he said, adding: “Since I was first elected I have diligently served the people of Rochdale and have always put residents’ interests first in Parliament.
“I became Rochdale’s MP in 2010 and since then have hugely increased the majority, giving me a strong mandate to represent the town.
“As Rochdale’s MP, I have consistently backed local businesses and have fought to revive Rochdale’s economy. As many people know, I am a tireless campaigner who is not afraid to hold the establishment to account.”
Mr Danczuk says Labour must now move quickly if it hopes to win in Rochdale.
He added: “I am a lifelong trade unionist and Labour member, and I have devoted my life to fighting for Labour values. I believe my strong track record of fighting for Rochdale proves that I am the best placed person to fight this election for the Labour Party. I’ve fought and won two General Elections for Labour, and I expect to fight the next as a Labour candidate.
“I have increased our majority from 889 to 12,442. The people of Rochdale put their trust in me just two years ago, and it is my duty to stand again so that I can continue fighting for them in Parliament.
“It is clear that the Tories are putting party politics above the national interest.#
“An election will have no other outcome than to cause further division in our country. But given the Prime Minister’s intention, I intend to stand again and I now look forward to putting my case forward to the people of Rochdale.”
“I have a strong mandate to represent the town”