Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Sylvia Heal is standing down at the forthcoming election.

The MP has released a statement confirming she will not be fighting Conservative candidate James Morris, who last week she accused of ‘shameful politicking’, for the seat. She said: “It has been a great privilege to have been the Labour Member of Parliament for Halesowen and Rowley Regis since 1997.

“After considerable thought and agonising I have decided not to seek re-election.

“I am confident that whoever takes over from me as the Labour candidate will have every chance of holding the seat for Labour and helping the party go on to win an historic fourth term.”

Mrs Heal has put the decision down the long working hours of a sitting MP.

She said: “I do not wish to continue working a 12-14 hour day, six days a week for the next five years.”

“My commitment to my constituents means I could not do the job in any other way.”

And the MP defended her Government’s record since it took power in 1997.

She said: "I am proud of Labour’s achievements during our thirteen years in Government.” “We have made record investment in the NHS and our schools, introduced the first minimum wage, equality legislation, help for families and pensioners, which have made such a difference to places like Halesowen and Rowley Regis.

"I have worked and campaigned for the Labour Party for over fifty years and will continue to work as hard as I can to retain the Halesowen and Rowley Regis constituency and to keep a Labour Government at the election."