The Labour MP, Kate Green, is set to step down from Westminster to take up the post as deputy mayor of Greater Manchester.
With the role having responsibility for policing, crime and criminal justice, Ms Green cannot simultaneously remain as an MP, meaning a by-election is now set to be called in her Manchester seat of Stretford and Urmston.
Ms Green had already announced plans to step down from the Commons at the next election and as such the Labour party already have a fresh candidate in place for the seat. That candidate is Andrew Western, the labour leader of Trafford Council.
The by-election in Stetford and Urmston is not likely to prove a difficult electoral challenge for Labour with the party winning the seat by a majority of 16,417 in 2019. Found immediately to the south west Manchester, this seat contains the vast retail Trafford Centre retail park, as well the Old Trafford cricket ground, and Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
Kate Green has been appointed to her new role by Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham. Mr Burnham described her as having the ‘calibre, character, and values’ to succeed the current deputy mayor, Baroness Bev Hughes. Baroness Hughes was previously Ms Green’s predecessor as the MP for Stretford and Urmston.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed Kate Green’s appointment, describing her as a ‘tireless advocate for the people of Stretford and Urmston for 12 years’.
