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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Ashley Cowburn

Labour face by-election test as MP set to quit to become Greater Manchester deputy mayor

A by-election is set to be triggered in a safe Labour seat in Greater Manchester after Kate Green was picked as the next deputy mayor of the city.

Former Shadow Education Secretary Ms Green announced in February she won't stand at the next general election - but is now expected to resign sooner.

A senior Labour source told The Mirror that there will be a by-election in the Stretford and Urmston constituency, with the timing set to be confirmed.

Ms Green has represented the ultra-safe Labour seat since 2010 and won a majority of over 16,000 votes at the 2019 general election.

The Leader of Trafford Council Andrew Western was selected as her replacement for Labour in the constituency in June after winning a members' vote.

It came as Baroness Beverley Hughes announced on Wednesday she would step down as deputy mayor of Greater Manchester after five years in the role.

Ms Green was put forward by Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, and it was announced on Wednesday she had accepted the offer.

Speaking in February Ms Green said the "time was right" to move on to "new experiences and opportunities".

She added: "It has been my great privilege to represent Stretford and Urmston since 2010, but I have decided that I will not put myself forward to be our candidate at the next election," she said.

Ms Green will be deputy to the Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham (Vincent Cole - Manchester Evening News)

"You can imagine that this is a very tough decision for me to make, but I know it will be the right time for me to move on to new opportunities and new experiences.

"Of course, an election may be more than two years off, and until then, I will do everything I can do to serve my constituents to the very best of my ability."

She served as Shadow Education Secretary from June 2020 until November 2021 and held and previously chaired the Commons Committee on Standards.

On Tuesday Keir Starmer said: "Kate Green has been a tireless advocate for the people of Stretford and Urmston for 12 years."

The Labour leader added: "As the next deputy mayor of Greater Manchester, she will continue to deliver for her local community. Kate, I look forward to working with you in your new role."

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