Labour deputy leader stepping down as MP and is doing right thing
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has decided not to stand for re-election, citing a desire to free up his time to help others improve their health and fitness as he has done himself in recent years.
Watson had a sometimes fraught relationship with the party’s membership but also made a considerable contribution to the good of the nation when he took on Rupert Murdoch over the phone-hacking scandal, which played a key role in the ensuing Leveson inquiry and recommendations as well as in the closure of Murdoch’s News of the World paper.
Jeremy Corbyn has responded to Watson’s resignation letter:
Under a cloud in recent months because of his support for the abuse claims of Carl Beech, Watson is showing genuine leadership in doing the right thing for Labour now as the party seeks to build on its storming start to the general election campaign.
In the spirit of that overriding priority to bring down the Tories and ensure they continue to fall apart, the SKWAWKBOX wishes Tom Watson success and happiness in his future endeavours and asks all Labour members and supporters to continue to devote their time and energy to that ultimate goal.
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