All change for the MPs saying goodbye

MORE than a quarter of the region's MPs are quitting at the General Election, paving the way for sweeping changes even before a vote is cast.

Sixteen MPs have decided to stand down, including eight of the Labour intake first elected when Tony Blair came to power in 1997.

Yorkshire and the Humber will lose a host of politicians with

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frontbench experience either in Government or in opposition, as well as a number of seasoned backbenchers. Some are standing down due to ill-health or old age, others have cited the pressure of other responsibilities and all know that they leave the House of Commons at a time when public trust in politicians is at an all-time low.

The last 12 months have been dominated by the expenses scandal and even in retirement MPs cannot escape controversy.

Politicians standing down in this region alone stand to receive more than 800,000 in golden goodbyes, pocketing an average of more than 50,000 each.

They may be the last wave of politicians to receive the controversial payment – known as a resettlement grant – which is designed to cushion the blow when MPs leave Parliament.

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Under the current system, MPs receive between 50 and 100 per cent of their salary depending on how old they are and how long they have been an MP for.

Scunthorpe MP Elliot Morley also qualifies for the maximum payment, but has been told it will be withheld pending the outcome of criminal charges over his expenses, although he has claimed in an interview this "goes against natural justice" and was an example of how he had "not been treated fairly". With many hoping the General Election will draw a line under the expenses scandal, a new generation of politicians will be charged with reforming Parliament. Add those stepping down to the many others defending small majorities, and it is quite likely that when the counts are completed, the region will have more new MPs than the 22 who walked into Westminster for the first time in May 1997.

n Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland has no sitting MP after the death of Labour's Ashok Kumar in March.

John Battle

Constituency and majority: Labour member for Leeds West, 12,810

First elected: 1987

Golden goodbye: 64,766

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High point: Minister of State at the Department of Trade and Industry

Best known for: Campaigning for compensation for asbestos victims

John Battle has been closely associated with campaigns on poverty, employment, housing and prisons policy during his Parliamentary career, most notably that for justice for victims of exposure to asbestos from the JW Roberts factory in Armley, Leeds, which eventually led to a ground-breaking court case holding the manufacturer responsible for their cancer in later years. He was also an early campaigner for the national minimum wage – one of Labour's landmark achievements – and against loan sharks. He was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Trade and Industry in 1997 and from 1999-2001 was Minister of State at the Foreign Office. In 2001, the staunch Catholic became Tony Blair's envoy visiting communities on inter-faith matters.

Colin Burgon

Constituency and majority: Labour member for Elmet, 4,528

First elected: 1997

Golden goodbye: 54,403

High point: Defeating fierce opposition to new homes on former pit site at Allerton Bywater

Best known AS: Left-wing campaigner

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Having fought Elmet unsuccessfully twice – in 1987 and 1992 – it was third time lucky for an MP who has remained firmly on the left of the Labour party, finally earning his seat with a crushing majority of more than 8,000. He has fought against plans for open cast mining – and says he would simply like to be recognised as "a good constituency MP" – and has been a critic of New Labour's "love affair" with free market capitalism. Even last week, in this year's Budget debate, he warned that even Labour is on the brink of cutting spending too soon.

He is probably better known though for his interest in South America, leaping to the defence of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, and chairing all-party groups on that country and Cuba.

Richard Caborn

Constituency and majority: Labour member for Sheffield Central, 7,055

First elected: 1983

Golden goodbye: 54,403

High point: Minister of State at Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, and Sports Minister

Best known for: Straight-talking no-nonsense approach

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Started working life as an apprentice at Sheffield Forgemasters and

ended his parliamentary career helping negotiate an 80m Government loan for the company. Ran John Prescott's campaigns for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party in 1992 and 1994. Was also active on South African issues as a fierce critic of apartheid. Became a Minister after the 1997 election, helping to establish regional development agencies as Minister of State of the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions. A keen Sheffield United fan, he became Sports Minister after the 2001 election and has since become an ambassador for England's 2018 World Cup bid. Recently attacked the Sunday Times after being embroiled in their lobbying revelations.

Colin Challen

Constituency and majority: Labour member for Morley and Rothwell, 12,343

First elected: 2001

Golden goodbye: 32,383

High point: Leading backbench pressure to act against climate change

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Best known for: Moving aside to give Ed Balls a seat with a comfortable Labour majority

A former Hull city councillor, Mr Challen has been an environmental champion, making radical suggestions such as phasing out internal UK flights to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, along with a national speed limit of 55 mph. Attended last year's Copenhagen Climate Conference. Has also been leading the parliamentary fight to secure pensions for armed forces veterans who retired before a 1975 cut-off. Announced he was standing down in controversial circumstances. With the next-door constituency of Normanton disappearing, Gordon Brown's ally Ed Balls was in need of a new home and opted for the new Morley and Outwood seat, which would be Mr Challen's natural constituency – prompting him to announce he would quit.

Michael Clapham

Constituency and majority: Labour member for Barnsley West and Penistone, 11,314

First elected: 1992

Golden goodbye: 54,403

High point: Securing compensation scheme for sick miners

Best known for: Campaigning on industrial diseases

Worked for the National Union of Mineworkers before winning the safe Labour seat and has battled on behalf of sick miners in his time at Westminster, sitting on a committee scrutinising the government's compensation schemes. "We dealt with over 592,000 claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," he reflects with pride. He also considers getting a new building for Mapplewell Primary School shortly after Labour came to power as a high point. Visiting on a hot day he remembers "there was a smell which they said they couldn't get rid of." He adds: "They'd had it for some years and it was from the boys' toilet." With his constituency disappearing, he announced he was standing down.

Ann Cryer

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Constituency and majority: Labour member for Keighley, 4,852

First elected: 1997

Golden goodbye: 32,383

High point: Driving through the Forced Marriage Civil Protection Act 2007

Best known for: Outspoken critic of forced marriages and honour killings

Selected to fight the seat from an all-woman shortlist, she entered the Commons at the same time as her son, John. As MP for a constituency with a large Muslim population, she has been a determined campaigner against forced marriages, even when it earned her criticism. She attracted controversy when she suggested measures to make immigrant spouses learn English, but has no doubt that her finest hour was in getting backing from Tony Blair and Jack Straw to pass legislation in 2007 clamping down on abuses. "I wouldn't say we've defeated forced marriage, but we're well on the way," she says. "All those years of hardship – because I received a lot of abuse – I feel it was time well spent. I'm very proud of the fact I achieved that."

David Curry

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Constituency and majority: Conservative member for Skipton and Ripon, 11,620

First elected: 1987

Golden goodbye: 59,585

High point: Agriculture Minister under John Major

Best known for: Pro-European views in a largely Eurosceptic party

As a Minister under John Major, he negotiated the first substantial reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy, while as Local Government Secretary he helped introduce urban regeneration programmes. But after the Tories lost power, he quit the shadow cabinet in protest at policy ruling out joining the European single currency . "I've always

represented the middle of the road internationalist side of the Tory party," he says. "It would be nice if people thought I'd kept that flag flying." A former journalist, he served again in the shadow cabinet under Michael Howard. Last year he admitted an affair and stood down as chairman of the committee policing MPs' expenses after allegations over his second home claims – and had to pay back 28,000.

Jeff Ennis

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Constituency and majority: Labour member for Barnsley East and

Mexborough, 14,125

First elected: 1996

Golden goodbye: 54,403

High point: Parliamentary aide to Tessa Jowell as Labour's first public health minister

Best known for: Constituency campaigning and supporter of brass bands

Arrived in Parliament in a by-election the year before Tony Blair's landslide and says it has been an "honour" to represent the people he grew up with, having served as a councillor in Barnsley beforehand. Put forward a Private Members Bill to raise the legal age for smoking from 16 to 18 which the Government initially rejected but ended up adopting as part of their own legislation which has since come into force. Has also championed the cause of children's hospices, securing more money for them after a meeting with Tony Blair, and set up an all-party brass band group to lobby for extra funding for groups. Surprised colleagues by announcing earlier this year he would stand down.

John Greenway

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Constituency and majority: Conservative member for Ryedale, 10,469

First elected: 1987

Golden goodbye: 64,766

High point: Successfully introduced backbench Bill to tackle the weed Ragwort

Best known AS: Tory spokesman for Tourism from 2000 to 2003

He was a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee from 1987 to 1997. He was appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of State at the former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for a year from 1991. In 1997, he was appointed to the Opposition Front Bench as a spokesman for Home Affairs and was spokesman for Culture Media and Sport from 2000-3 with particular responsibility for sport and tourism. He is known for his keen interest in horse racing. He has also chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance and Financial Services since 1992. He successfully introduced two Private Members Bills, the Mental Capacity and Unfitness to Plead Act and the Ragwort Control Act 2003.

John Grogan

Constituency and majority: Labour member for Selby, 467

First elected: 1997

Golden goodbye: 32,383

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High point: Getting home Ashes tests back onto list of sporting "crown jewels" for free-to-air TV

Best known AS: Keen campaigner, particularly fighting post office privatisation

Born in Halifax, he won Selby at the third attempt in 1997 and

surprised most observers – not least himself – by keeping hold of it in 2005. Was thrust into the limelight by the Selby rail crash in 2002

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when a car veered off the M62 onto the rail line, and campaigned to minimise the impact of the closure of Selby coalfield. He was also a key figure in the campaign against police force mergers when Charles Clarke was Home Secretary. A popular and jovial MP, he voted against the Iraq War but rallied around Tony Blair when Brownites tried to stage a coup and force him from office. Chairman of the Commons all-party beer group, he has also fought for Ashes cricket to be returned to free-to-air television.

Christine McCafferty

Constituency and majority: Labour member for Calder Valley, 1,367

First elected: 1997

Golden goodbye: 54,403

High point: Winning fight for public inquiry into Harold Shipman murders

Best known for: Campaigning on women's rights.

Campaigned in a number of fields, winning recognition for her

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commitment to overseas development, sexual health and women's rights. Successfully pushed for VAT on sanitary products to be reduced when Labour came to power. She has been a big supporter of Labour's efforts to improve public services, tackle poverty and help the disadvantaged. After Harold Shipman's mass murders, she was first to call for a public inquiry, including his time as a doctor in Todmorden, which led to changes in coroner's laws. She has been a member of the Council of Europe and chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group Compassion on Dying and of the All Party Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health. Local campaigns have included work to improve transport.

Elliot Morley

Constituency and majority: Labour member for Scunthorpe, 8,963

First elected: 1987

Golden goodbye: 64,766 (withheld pending current inquiries)

High point: Served as Fisheries Minister and Environment Minister under Tony Blair

Best known for: Being charged over his expenses

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Despite 23 years as an MP, several years on the front bench and service as a select committee chairman, Elliot Morley faces being best remembered as one of the faces of the expenses crisis which has rocked Westminster. He is one of three MPs charged under the Theft Act over his claims but has indicated he will plead not guilty to allegations he dishonestly claimed 30,428 more than he was entitled for his second home, including 18 months after the mortgage was paid off. A respected expert on the environment, Mr Morley was chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Committee. As a Minister, he fought against illegal logging and also unveiled measures to manage flooding and coastal erosion.

Kali Mountford

Constituency and majority: Labour member for Colne Valley, 1,501

First elected: 1997

Golden goodbye: 54,403

High point: Successfully challenging alcopops advertising

Best known for: Suspended from the House of Commons for five working days in 1998

She was a member of the Social Security Select Committee from 1998-99 but resigned and was suspended from the Commons for five days after she admitted leaking a report from the committee to the government, despite earlier denials, and was forced to apologise to MPs. She was a member of the Treasury Select Committee from 2001-3. She was also

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Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for Work, the Minister for Immigration and later to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. She moved an amendment to the Education Standards Act to abolish caning in private education and also successfully challenged alcopops advertising. Also campaigned to keep women's and children's health services in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. She is not contesting the election due to health problems.

John Prescott

Constituency and majority: Labour member for Hull East, 11,747

First elected: 1970

Golden goodbye: 32,383

High point: Deputy Prime Minister for a decade, led UK delegation negotiating Kyoto Treaty

Best known for: Affair with his diary secretary, throwing a punch on the campaign trail and keeping Labour together during the Blair-Brown years.

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A former ship's steward, his working class roots have played a major part in making New Labour work, keeping unions and traditionalists on board. In power, he gained a reputation as a conciliator. Famed for his battles with the English language, he was given the huge department of Environment, Transport and the Regions when Labour first came to power. Later he was stripped of departmental responsibilities but remained Deputy Prime Minister. He will also be remembered for punching a protester during the 2001 campaign and then in 2006 admitting having an affair with his diary secretary.

Paul Truswell

Constituency and majority: Labour member for Pudsey, 5,870

First elected: 1997

Golden goodbye: 50,517

High point: Played key role in getting new law on sales of alcohol to under-age drinkers following tragic death of 14-year-old David Knowles

Best known for: Recent voting records show him to be one of Labour's most rebellious MPs.

Paul Truswell is stepping down 13 years after being first elected on one of the biggest swings in the country. A former journalist and Leeds councillor, he took the Pudsey seat for Labour for the first time ever. Among his key achievements is successfully getting David's Law into the statute books following the death of 14-year-old David Knowles who was knocked down after drinking alcohol bought at an off-licence. A

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loophole in licensing laws meant those responsible for selling the alcohol could not be prosecuted. He piloted a Private Member's Bill through the Commons to close it. He is stepping down after a serious car crash last year took its toll.

Phil Willis

Constituency and majority: Liberal Democrat member for Harrogate and Knaresborough, 10,429

First elected: 1997

Golden goodbye: 40,155

High Point: Led Liberal Democrat education team from 1999 to 2005

Best known for: Chairing select committee on universities, then science and technology.

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Having not arrived at Westminster until he was 55 – when he beat former Tory chancellor Norman Lamont – the former head teacher's greatest regret is not becoming an MP sooner. "I've made the most of my time here but it would have been good to come here 10 years earlier," he says. Mr Willis has since admitted regretting not having stood for party leader when Paddy Ashdown quit. Ranks chairing the science and technology committee as his career highlight, particularly "when we were able to persuade the Government to change its policy towards embryo research which was a ground breaking piece of work, which has had significant effects on stem cell research".