Sheffield MP says she will step down at election

Meg Munn, Member of Parliament for Sheffield Heeley, will not stand for election in 2015.

She will have been an MP for 14 years and said in a statement that she believes “the time will be right to use her experience and energy to take on new challenges”.

Elected in 2001 she held various ministerial positions under the previous Labour Government. From 2005 to 2007 Meg was the Minister for Women and Equality and introduced Civil Partnerships in December 2005, was responsible for the Equalities Act 2006 and also involved in the Work and Families Act 2006. In 2007 she moved to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Ms Munn said: “I have decided not to seek reselection to stand as the Labour candidate for Sheffield Heeley for the 2015 General Election. It has not been an easy decision to make, but I am confident it is the right one – for me, the party and the constituency.

“It has been a great privilege to represent the constituency since 2001 and I will look back with pride on my time in Parliament. When I first joined the Labour Party in Heeley nearly 40 years ago I never dreamt I would one day become its Member of Parliament.

“I think the happiest memories I will take away will be of the times spent in the constituency visiting schools, community groups and projects, talking to people who are trying to make things better for others. I hope I helped.

“I look back with satisfaction on achievements I was centrally involved in, such as achieving change to gender neutral language in our legislation, allowing unmarried couples in stable relationships to adopt, introducing Civil Partnerships when I was Minister for Women and Equality and helping constituents with problems great and small.

“The changes we saw thanks to the last Labour Government were many and significant. 
“The overall focus on education ensured many children achieved higher standards and Yorkshire Forward, our regional development agency, helped many businesses to grow and develop.”