Labour’s PPC for Colne Valley stands down

Binnie Joshi Barr, Labour’s candidate in Colne Valley, has decided to step down due to health reasons.

Barr announced her decision in a letter to local party members. She said:

“Colne Valley deserves and will have a Labour MP in 2015. Unfortunately due to ill health, it is not going to be me.

“Since the birth of my daughter Aarya eight weeks ago, my rheumatoid arthritis has returned and worse than before. I have regrettably come to the conclusion that I will not be physically able to give what is needed in the campaign to win back Colne Valley for Ed Miliband’s One Nation Labour Party in 2015”.

“I am immensely grateful for the support and belief you have given me in selecting and supporting me as your candidate. I will continue to work alongside you all in our fight to return a Labour MP to parliament.

“Right now, we all have a common purpose and that is to work hard in the local and Euro elections to win as many seats as we possibly can. Rather than distract with my news, I want us all to work together to achieve this goal. I will work alongside the CLP in helping select a new candidate and support them in any way I can”.

A new selection process will take place to decide Labour’s candidate to face incumbent Tory MP Jason McCartney, who has a majority of 4,837.

LabourList wishes Binnie all the best.