Two Conservative Black Country MPs to step down at election

Two Conservative MPs representing Black Country constituencies have said they will step down at the next election.

Stuart Anderson, MP for Wolverhampton South West, said threats against his family had influenced his decision.

Nicola Richards, who represents West Bromwich East, cited a "change in [her] domestic circumstances".

Both Ms Richards and Mr Anderson were elected in 2019, taking the previous Labour strongholds for the Tories after Boris Johnson's landslide election win.

Mr Anderson has previously spoken to the Express & Star newspaper about "sustained violence and intimidation" which had left him fearing for his family's safety.

He confirmed to the BBC this was the main reason for his decision to step back, adding police had investigated 19 incidents against him, his family, and staff including threats of violence, intimidation and harassment.

In one incident, he said a man had been convicted after threatening to blow up his office.

The government whip, who was born in Hereford, said his family had moved out of the area due to safety concerns and he felt he needed to protect them.

He said serving as one of three Wolverhampton MPs had been the "greatest honour of my lifetime".

"While I will continue to represent my constituents with pride, I have made the decision not to seek re-nomination for personal family reasons," his statement read.

Mr Anderson told the BBC he had not ruled out standing for election elsewhere.

Ms Richards, who grew up in Dudley and has been a member of the Education Select Committee and Women and Equalities Committee, said a "change in domestic circumstances" had prompted her decision.

"I am incredibly grateful to the people of West Bromwich East for their support and encouragement," she said, adding being an MP had been "the privilege of my life".

"I love being a member of Parliament, representing communities and improving people's lives," she said.

"I hope I am fortunate enough for this not to be the end of my time in Parliament."

Mr Anderson and Ms Richards are among a number of Conservative MPs who have taken the decision to stand down at the next general election.

In the West Midlands, Worcester's Robin Walker and Bromsgrove's Sajid Javid have also announced they will not seek re-election.

Other MPs in so-called former Red Wall areas, including Stoke-on-Trent's Jo Gideon and Bishop Auckland's Dehenna Davison, have also confirmed they will not be standing.

The boundaries of both Wolverhampton South West and West Bromwich East are due to change for the upcoming election as part of new changes to ensure constituencies contain roughly the same number of electors.

The former will become Wolverhampton West, expanding to take in Oxley and Blakenhall.

West Bromwich East is set to become West Bromwich, absorbing Oldbury, Rowley and Tivdale while areas like Hall Green are moved to a new Tipton and Wednesbury constituency which largely replaces West Bromwich West.

The changes are set to see the West Midlands lose two seats in Parliament, decreasing from 59 to 57 and detailed proposals are expected in the summer, to be finalised by July 2023.

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