Rt Hon Dame Margaret Beckett will not seek re-election in May 2022

After 39 years as the Member of Parliament for Derby South the Rt Hon Dame Margaret Beckett has taken the decision to not seek the nomination to be the Labour Party candidate at the next general election.

Speaking at the Derby South Labour Party Constituency meeting earlier tonight Margaret said “serving the residents of Derby South has been an honour.

“I have always put the constituents of Derby South first and I wish to thank them for their kindness, support and warmth over the last 39 years. I will continue to serve residents of Derby South until the next general election”

Margaret was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Derby South in 1983 having previously been the MP for Lincoln. Margaret remains the only sitting MP to have served as a minister and junior minister under the last four Labour Prime Ministers.

Margaret paid tribute to the local Labour Party stating “I wish to thank the local Labour Party for their friendship, goodwill and candid honesty.

“I look forward to working with them and the Labour Party candidate at the next general election”