Labour shadow pensions minister Alex Cunningham resigns

Shadow pensions minister Alex Cunningham has resigned from his post, his office has confirmed.

Cunningham is understood to have resigned on 20 December after voting against the Labour whip on an amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.

He joined 63 other Labour MPs to vote for the amendment, despite the party telling MPs to abstain.

Cunningham has backed transparency of investment costs and charges and collective defined contribution schemes.

He was appointed to the role in October 2016, nearly five months after the former post-holder Angela Rayner was appointed shadow minister for women and equalities and shadow minister for education.

In an e-mailed statement, Cunningham said his resignation would enable him to represent his constituents’ views on Brexit better.

“In recent months, I have spoken with representatives from many companies in my constituency and beyond and received lobbying from many of them through other means,” he said. “They are as one about the importance of the Government delivering the kind of access and regulatory regime they need to continue their businesses effectively in Europe.

“They also spoke of the threat to investment and the future of many of the jobs they provide in my constituency and across Teesside. I voted as I did as I believed I was leaving the door open for any deal with the EU to possibly include the membership of the Customs Union – something I felt was in the best interests of industry and jobs in my Stockton North constituency.

“After my constituents voted overwhelmingly to leave the EU I saw it as my responsibility to support them in that decision and ensure I worked for the best possible outcome for them in terms of jobs and rights. That I will continue to do.”

The Labour Party is understood to not yet have named a replacement.

The post Labour shadow pensions minister Alex Cunningham resigns appeared first on Retirement Planner.