Marsha Singh MP to step down

Marsha Singh will step down as MP for Bradford West due to serious health problems.

The 57-year-old was elected in 1997 in a seat which has been a Labour stronghold since 1974.

Singh's resignation has triggered a by-election in his Bradford West constituency which is set to take place at the end of the month.

Singh said he had been suffering from health problems for some time, adding,

"I have had wonderful treatment from our fantastic NHS doctors and nurses here in Bradford. But it has become clear that it is going to take much longer than I'd expected to recover."

He added,

"This is a sad day for me. I have been extremely proud to represent the people of Bradford West for the last 15 years. I would like to thank the people of Bradford West from the bottom of my heart for putting their faith in me, and for all the warmth and affection they have shown me. I'm passionate about Bradford. It is where I grew up and where my children were born, so it has been a great privilege to be asked by the electorate at four general elections to be their voice in Parliament."

Singh held on to his seat at the 2010 election after getting 45 per cent of the vote.

Labour leader Ed Miliband paid tribute to Singh, saying,

"He is a man who entered politics for all the right reasons – to make a positive difference to people's lives and to stand up for social justice in the community where he grew up. He will be missed greatly by his parliamentary colleagues. He is doing the right thing by listening to the doctors – his priority now has to be to concentrate on regaining his health, and I wish him all the best on his long road to recovery."