Who is Tristram Hunt? Labour MP who is stepping down to take position at V&A – here’s what we know
LABOUR'S Tristram Hunt has quit as MP for "Brexit capital of the UK" to become director of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
His resignation will trigger a by-election in his constituency of Stoke-on-Trent Central.
It follows his retreat to the backbenches after admitting "substantial political differences" with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Who is Tristram Hunt?
Labour MP Tristram Hunt has represented Stoke-on-Trent Central since 2010.
He became Shadow Education Minister by Ed Miliband in April 2013, before being promoted to Shadow Education Secretary later that year.
But friction with Jeremy Corbyn after his leadership win saw him retreat to the backbenches.
Stoke-on-Trent ranked as the number one city in the UK in terms of the proportion of voters who wanted to leave the European Union.
Almost 70 per cent of the population voted for Brexit, over the average of 51.9 per cent.
But fierce Remoaner Mr Hunt was quoted as saying before the referendum, "Leaving the EU would be a self-defeating dereliction of duty and history".
The backbencher announced in January 2017 he was quitting Parliament to become the new director of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
His resignation will trigger a by-election in his constituency.
Why is Tristram Hunt quitting as a Labour MP?
After being re-elected in May 2015 with a majority of 5,179, Hunt announced he was stepping down from the shadow cabinet following Jeremy Corbyn's election as Labour leader.
The pair had "substantial political differences", he said.
When the backbencher announced he would be resigning as an MP in order to take up a post as director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
He told MPs in a letter this morning, saying it had been a "profound privilege" to represent The Potteries in Parliament over the last six and a half years.
He wrote: "As I enter a new role as a public servant, I will be leaving partisan politics behind me and will work impartially as a museum director.
"I am sorry to put you, the party and the people of Stoke-on-Trent through a by-election.
"I have no desire to rock the boat now and anyone who interprets my decision to leave in that way is just plain wrong."
Chairman of V&A said he "greatly looked forward" to working with the politician.
His resignation sparked rumours of unrest within the Labour Party, something Mr Hunt denied.
An anonymous Labour MP said following Hunt's resignation: "It's his dream job and I don't blame him for going.
"Good luck to him and God help the rest of us."
A spokesman for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "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."
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