Labour’s Harriet Harman, who has been an MP for over 40 years, announced her intention to quit the Commons during the next election.
She said she was stepping down as MP in Camberwell and Peckham after the last polls.
Ms Harman maintained that she is not averse to feminism and her passion for politics.
As the longest-serving female MP, the 71-year-old is currently ‘Mother of the House’.
This was her latest announcement in a long line of Labour MPs that have said they won’t stand again for election.
Dame Margaret Hodge, 77-year-old, was an outspoken critic of Jeremy Corbyn’s left-wing ex leader. She said last week she wouldn’t run for Barking after having represented it for over 30 years.
Barry Sheerman (81), who has been representing Huddersfield from 1979 to now, will be stepping down.
Harriet Harman said she’d’step down’ as the MP for Camberwell, Peckham, when the country’s next elections are held.
Ms Harman was elected first to the seat of south London in 1982. (Photo taken during campaign).
Ms Harman maintained that she is still passionate about politics and her feminism.
Last week, Dame Margaret Hodge (left), said that she wouldn’t run for Barking after having represented it for thirty years. Barry Sheerman, who has represented Huddersfield since 1979, will step down.
In 1982, Ms Harman was elected first to the seat of south London. She has served as acting party leader and deputy leader in various governments.
She sent an email to her constituents informing them that she felt able to leave the House of Commons as a result of the strong leadership of Keir Sternmer and his new team.
“It’s been an immense honour to serve as a Member of Parliament for Camberwell and Peckham over the past 40 years.
In 2015, Ms Harman was the acting Labour leader. She also served as deputy labour leader between 2007 and 2015.
Tony Blair won the 1997 election and Ms Harman was made secretary of State for social security. She also became the first woman minister.
In an email she wrote: “I was the only Labour woman MP in the Commons, in a Parliament that was 97% male.”
“Now, there are 104 Labour Women and women MPs across all political parties are a critical mass.
“But it is important to continue working until women have equal political power as men, and that women are equal in government.
“I will leave this House of Commons with my feminism and belief in Labour as well as my enthusiasm for politics intact.”
Sir keir starmer, the Party Leader, led today’s tributes, tweeting, “Harriet, your dedication to Labour and Camberwell and Peckham over almost 40 years has been remarkable.”
You’re a champion for women’s rights and justice.
“It has been an honor to work alongside you. I look forward continuing the relationship for a long time.”
Ed Miliband was the leader of the party from 2010 to 2015. He added, “Feminist fighter conviction politician.”
Harriet, my first political boss, was a great deputy. She was a great leader and will be greatly missed in the House of Commons.
She follows the example of Dame Margaret who made it last week.
Former cabinet minister, she told Barking Labour Party it was a “really difficult decision”.
Since 1994, the 77-year old has been representing the constituency and served in many ministerial positions during the Labour government.
Dame Margaret was also the chair of the powerful Public Accounts Committee, and was a voice against Jeremy Corbyn’s antisemitism row in Labour.
“I’ve decided to not stand for reelection as your member of parliament at the next general election,” Dame Margaret wrote in a video message.
“I’ll be standing down from the Parliament. It’s been really difficult decision.
“I enjoy my job. I want to express my gratitude for all the kindness, friendship, and love you have shown me over the years.
She continued, “We’ve done incredible things together.
Margaret said that beating Nick Griffin (then-British National Party) in the 2010 election was her proudest moment.
Her comments included that Labour is now an entirely different party than when she was elected to Parliament 27 years ago.
She has been vocal about anti-semitism within Labour in recent years. In the end, she clashed with Mr Corbyn, the former Labour leader, over the matter and how the party responded to complaints.
Ms Harman worked as a minister in Gordon Brown (centre), when he was premier
Tony Blair, left in 1997) was Labour leader and Prime Minister. Ms Harman was also prominent.
On Sunday, Mr Sheerman made public his plans to leave.
Huddersfield MP, Mark Huddersfield announced his decision through his Twitter account.
His first election was in 1983. He is currently the longest serving Labour member of the Commons.
He was the chairman of various education select committees for almost a decade and also held several shadow ministerial positions under Neil Kinnock or John Smith.