Published: 01/07/2010 12:23 -
Updated: 01/07/2010 12:28
HARLOW’S former Labour MP Bill Rammell is calling time on his Parliamentary career following his defeat at the hands of Conservative Robert Halfon in the General Election.
In his first interview since losing his seat to Mr Halfon in May, 50-year-old Mr Rammell said he felt he would be approaching his “sell-by date” by the time of the next election and had no desire to join the ranks of ageing MPs sitting in the House of Commons.
“I fought flat out to win again at the last General Election but when you lose you have to reflect on the future,” said the former Armed Forces minister.
“I’ve been in politics for nearly 20 years and I’ve given my life and soul to the job and to the constituency.
“It’s been an immense privilege to serve the people of Harlow and I hugely value the relationship and rapport that I’ve got with local residents and the unbelievably positive feedback I’ve had since the election.
“But I think this Parliament will run its full course of five years, by which time I’ll be 55. You have to make a judgement as to whether the intense pressure is sustainable for you and your family and I’ve taken the decision that it’s not.”
Although he has yet to decide on a future career path, Mr Rammell said he would always remain an active member of the local Labour party. But he added it was time for a new candidate to spearhead the fight to wrestle control of the town back from the Conservatives.
“Because I’ve very much led from the front, at one level there’s perhaps not been space for other potential Parliamentary candidates to come forward,” he said. “I would have a strong preference for someone local and I know there are a number of very good candidates within the party locally. This seat is eminently winnable at the next election.”
Looking back over his 13-year tenure as Harlow MP, Mr Rammell said he hoped he would be remembered as assiduous, active and approachable.
“I had dealt with 18,000 individual cases by the time of the General Election and I’ve never, ever been unwilling to meet with anyone and try to deal with their problem,” he added.
“Beyond that, I’ve been a real advocate and champion of the town and particularly a champion of regeneration. The new Leisurezone and the redevelopment of Town Centre South are two things I’m really proud to have played key roles in delivering.”
Asked whether he had any regrets about his time in office, Mr Rammell spoke frankly about the expenses scandal that rocked Westminster last year.
“I do hugely regret that all of us of all political parties didn’t change the expenses system,” he said. “Although relatively speaking my expense claim record was low and I was very much at the bottom end of claimants, I nevertheless acknowledge that it was an out-of-date system that should have been changed much sooner. I do genuinely regret that.”
On the future of the Labour Party and the looming leadership contest, Mr Rammell pledged his support for David Milliband and said it was imperative the party adapted and responded to the times.
“I think he’s the brightest politician intellectually that I’ve ever worked with. He’s got incredibly good communication skills and he’s the one candidate I can most easily imagine as the next Labour prime minister.
“But whoever is successful, there are parts of the New Labour project that we will have to rethink and change. For example, we need to be much tougher in terms of regulation on the banks and the City and I think we need to make clear that while business has a voice at the table it cannot be the overwhelming voice.
“I think we’ll see an evolution within the Labour Party but I don’t want us to go back to the days where we were perceived, rightly or wrongly, as being against people getting on in life.”
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