Shadow minister quits post to focus on his constituents

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's front bench was yesterday hit by a resignation as shadow local government minister Mike Amesbury announced he would quit to "put my constituents first". The Weaver Vale MP said it had been an "honour" to serve Sir Keir but added that he wanted to "continue to put my constituents first as their MP".

- JON STONE

In his resignation letter, the Cheshire politician said: "I am hugely proud of what the team has achieved in the face of a Tory government that ignores the communities that were promised levelling-up, starves local government and public services of the resources they need, and refuses to get a grip on an evergrowing housing crisis."

Last week the Weaver Vale MP skirted a ban by Sir Keir on frontbenchers supporting rail strikes, commenting that "workers do not withdraw their labour lightly" and adding: "They are fighting to save jobs in this cost of living crisis."