Long-standing West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper is stepping down from her House of Commons seat after taking on her new role as Chair of the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.
The Labour MP, who said “events of the past few years have taken their toll”, was the target of an assassination attempt which saw neo-Nazi Jack Renshaw, of Skelmersdale given a life sentence in jail for plotting to murder her in 2017.
Rosie Cooper has been a staunch campaigner of the bid to restore direct rail services between Southport, Preston and Ormskirk through re-opening the Burscough Curves. She has worlked tirelessly as part of a cross-party group of regional politicians and other organisations that includes OPSTA, Southport BID, Southport College, Southport MP Damien Moore, South Ribble MP Katherine Fletcher, Preston MP Sir Mark Hendrick and Lancashire County Council Leader Cllr Geoff Driver. It will be hoped that the new West Lancashire MP offers similar support.
Her decision to step down will hand the new Prime Minister her first By-Election tes,m which is expected to take place later this autumn.
Rosie Cooper, who has held the seat for 17 years, has a current majority of just over 8,300.
Labour gained the constituency from the Conservatives in 1992.
Rosie Cooper said her history of working within the NHS in the past inspired her decision to take up her new position at the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, whose facilities include the new Christina Hartley Hospital on Scarisbrick New Road in Southport.
MP Rosie Cooper said:
“It has been an incredible honour and privilege to have served the people of West Lancashire for the last 17 years. I have loved every minute, even in the most difficult times.
“I appreciate this will come as a surprise to many people having recently secured reselection to stand as West Lancashire’s Labour Party candidate for the next general election. This was prior to the recruitment process for the Mersey Care position.
“The decision to apply for the role was taken after a considerable period of soul searching and reflection. The events I have faced over the last few years are well documented and undoubtedly have taken their toll.
“The National Health Service is one of my passions. Prior to entering Parliament, I had dedicated many years of service to the NHS and have been able to serve on the Health and Social Care Select Committee during my time as MP.
Guests at the rail summit at Southport College including (from left): Southport College CEO Michelle Brabner; South Ribble MP Katherine Fletcher; Patrick McLoughlin, Chairman of Transport for the North; West Lancs MP Rosie Cooper; Southport MP Damien Moore; and Martin Tugwell, CEO of Transport for the North. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
“To return to the NHS as Chairman of Mersey Care felt like the right opportunity at the right time. This appointment means I am unable to continue with my other passion of representing the people of West Lancashire as their MP, being their voice and fighting their corner as I have done since 2005.
“When I was first elected, I promised to be West Lancashire’s voice in Parliament, since then I have done my very best to deliver on that promise. Working together with people across the constituency, I believe we have achieved a lot. I am very proud that we have worked hard to solve the problems that my constituents have faced.
“There is no question I am very sad that my time in West Lancashire has come to an end. I will leave certain that I gave everything I had to this role which I love, and to people who have come to mean a great deal to me.
“To the residents of West Lancashire, I wish you the very best for the future and I will continue to take an interest from a distance. You have given me more than I can ever explain, and I want to thank you for the faith you placed in me to be able to serve you for 17 years.”
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