Labour MP Tristram Hunt has resigned from his position as the Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent, in order to take on the role of director of the Victoria & Albert museum in London.
The former shadow education secretary has been a prominent critic of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, saying in his resignation letter that “the extraordinary experience of serving in Parliament has proved both deeply rewarding and intensely frustrating”.
Despite his reservations, Hunt wished Corbyn luck in his role as Labour leader, adding:
“I will always be Labour and forever grateful for the incredible opportunity which the party gave me to work with you to serve the people of Stoke-on-Trent as their Member of Parliament.”
His letter said he had no desire to “rock the boat”, and that “anyone who interprets my decision to leave in that way is just plain wrong.”
“As a deeply patriotic British citizen, I believe our country needs a strong Opposition and a credible, alternative Labour government”.
.@TristramHuntMP resignation letter to @jeremycorbyn where he insists he has “no desire to rock the boat now”. !!! pic.twitter.com/5QmBE0tKf6
— Robert Peston (@Peston) January 13, 2017
His resignation will trigger a by-election in Stoke-on-Trent, the ‘Brexit capital’ of the UK after it recorded the highest proportion of those who voted leave the EU in the referendum.
The byelection in Stoke-on-Trent Central is expected to take place after that in Copeland, which was triggered after Corbyn critic Jamie Reed resigned in December.
A spokesman for Mr Corbyn told the BBC: “Jeremy would like to thank Tristram Hunt for his service to the people of Stoke-on-Trent Central and to the Labour Party.
“Jeremy wishes him well in his future pursuits at the V&A Museum”.