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Labour's Tristram Hunt quitting as MP to head V&A Museum Labour's Tristram Hunt quitting as MP to head V&A Museum
(35 minutes later)
Labour MP Tristram Hunt is quitting as an MP to become the director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, triggering a by-election.Labour MP Tristram Hunt is quitting as an MP to become the director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, triggering a by-election.
Mr Hunt, a critic of Jeremy Corbyn, said he did not want to "rock the boat" but had the chance "to have one of the greatest museum jobs in the world".Mr Hunt, a critic of Jeremy Corbyn, said he did not want to "rock the boat" but had the chance "to have one of the greatest museum jobs in the world".
His Stoke-on-Trent Central seat is set to be abolished under boundary changes.His Stoke-on-Trent Central seat is set to be abolished under boundary changes.
Mr Hunt told local party members he had been frustrated about how Labour should respond to political shockwaves.Mr Hunt told local party members he had been frustrated about how Labour should respond to political shockwaves.
In a letter to them explaining his decision, he said being an MP had been "both deeply rewarding and intensely frustrating".In a letter to them explaining his decision, he said being an MP had been "both deeply rewarding and intensely frustrating".
'Plain wrong''Plain wrong'
Highlighting the "harrowing effects of poverty and inequality upon social mobility", he said: " The frustration, of course, came with the inability to address those factors and implement our policy programme following our defeat in 2015 - and, more broadly, about how the Labour Party should respond to the social, cultural and economic forces which have rocked mainstream social democratic and socialist parties from India to Greece to America."Highlighting the "harrowing effects of poverty and inequality upon social mobility", he said: " The frustration, of course, came with the inability to address those factors and implement our policy programme following our defeat in 2015 - and, more broadly, about how the Labour Party should respond to the social, cultural and economic forces which have rocked mainstream social democratic and socialist parties from India to Greece to America."
He added: "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."He added: "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."
The former TV historian was elected to represent Stoke-on-Trent in 2010 and was re-elected in 2015 with a majority of 5,179. UKIP came second.The former TV historian was elected to represent Stoke-on-Trent in 2010 and was re-elected in 2015 with a majority of 5,179. UKIP came second.
He refused to serve in the shadow cabinet following Mr Corbyn's leadership victory in September 2015. He also argued that the Labour leader should have done more to persuade its voters to back the Remain campaign during last year's EU referendum.
'Informed and articulate''Informed and articulate'
Confirming the announcement, the V&A said Mr Hunt would bring "widespread expertise" to the museum.Confirming the announcement, the V&A said Mr Hunt would bring "widespread expertise" to the museum.
Chairman Nicholas Coleridge said: "He has a highly compelling mixture of experience across public life, the arts, history, education and academia, and knows our collections well from his writing and broadcasting.Chairman Nicholas Coleridge said: "He has a highly compelling mixture of experience across public life, the arts, history, education and academia, and knows our collections well from his writing and broadcasting.
"In addition, he is an informed and articulate leader and communicator on numerous facets of culture, both historic and contemporary, and I greatly look forward to working with him at the V&A.""In addition, he is an informed and articulate leader and communicator on numerous facets of culture, both historic and contemporary, and I greatly look forward to working with him at the V&A."
A spokesman for Labour leader Mr 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.A spokesman for Labour leader Mr 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.""Jeremy wishes him well in his future pursuits at the V&A."
But former UKIP leader Nigel Farage tweeted: "Tristram Hunt's resignation from Stoke will be followed by many others. Labour is doomed."But former UKIP leader Nigel Farage tweeted: "Tristram Hunt's resignation from Stoke will be followed by many others. Labour is doomed."
Mr Hunt is the second Labour MP in a matter of weeks to quit Parliament for a job outside politics. Jamie Reed announced last month he was standing down as MP for Copeland to take up a post at the Sellafield nuclear plant.Mr Hunt is the second Labour MP in a matter of weeks to quit Parliament for a job outside politics. Jamie Reed announced last month he was standing down as MP for Copeland to take up a post at the Sellafield nuclear plant.
Mr Hunt's departure sets up another potentially awkward by-election for Mr Corbyn, in a traditionally safe Labour seat where UKIP made a strong showing in the last general election.Mr Hunt's departure sets up another potentially awkward by-election for Mr Corbyn, in a traditionally safe Labour seat where UKIP made a strong showing in the last general election.
Museum charges?
Tony Blair's former communications chief, Alastair Campbell, wrote on Twitter that he was "really sad Tristram Hunt sees his future outside politics now", adding: "Big loss. So many MPs fear Labour going nowhere under Jeremy Corbyn".
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said he was "disappointed to see a talented MP like Tristram step down".Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said he was "disappointed to see a talented MP like Tristram step down".
"His departure will be keenly felt by Parliament and by the Labour Party..." he said, adding that Labour "will move swiftly to ensure Stoke-on-Trent Central continues to be represented by a strong and capable Labour MP"."His departure will be keenly felt by Parliament and by the Labour Party..." he said, adding that Labour "will move swiftly to ensure Stoke-on-Trent Central continues to be represented by a strong and capable Labour MP".
Liberal Democrat president Baroness Brinton said Mr Hunt's resignation was "a sign of how Labour are ripping themselves apart". "What is worrying is when first Jamie Reed and now Tristram Hunt decide they can achieve more positive change outside, rather than inside Parliament," she said.
Mr Hunt, who has spoken about his love for the Victoria & Albert Museum, told The Guardian newspaper in 2011 he believed charges should be reintroduced for entrance to museums and galleries.
"Reintroducing entrance fees for the great collections should be a plank of government arts planning," he said at the time.
Mr Hunt's V&A appointment was signed off by Prime Minister Theresa May and Culture Secretary Karen Bradley.
He is likely to enjoy a significant pay rise with his move from Westminster to the V&A.
His predecessor, Martin Roth, earned a salary of £145,000-£150,000 as part of a total package worth £225,000-£230,000 in 2015/16 - well above Mr Hunt's salary of £74,962 as an MP.