After serving the Cardiff West constituency in Parliament for 23 years, Labour MP Kevin Brennan has announced his decision to stand down ahead of the upcoming general election. His original plan was to stand for a seventh term in Parliament after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the election, but discussions with his family led him to change his mind. This news comes after Mr Brennan revealed in 2022 that he had received treatment for prostate cancer. He is Labour’s shadow minister for victims and sentencing.
In a post on social media, Mr Brennan wrote, “I’m announcing my decision to stand down as Cardiff West MP after 23 years – thank you to local Labour members and constituents for your friendship and support.” In a personal statement, he explained that the job of a Member of Parliament is rewarding but demanding, and after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer, he began to question whether he should continue in such a full-on role.
Despite previously supporting Lisa Nandy for Labour leader, Mr Brennan has reiterated his support for Keir Starmer, “who I passionately hope will become Prime Minister in July.” Mr Brennan was first elected in 2001 and served as a whip and in three different ministerial positions under two Labour prime ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. In the 2019 election, he won the seat with a majority of 10,986 votes.
The constituency boundaries have now changed for this year’s general election, reducing the number of Welsh seats in Westminster from 40 to 32. The new Cardiff West constituency will include the Pontyclun wards of neighboring Rhondda Cynon Taf council, which were previously part of the Labour-held Pontypridd and Ogmore seats. Despite his departure, Mr Brennan leaves behind a legacy of public service spanning over two decades
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