Labour MP for Crawley Laura Moffatt becomes the latest Labour MP to give up the fight:
"I have given a great deal of thought to this decision. It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the people of Crawley, but I feel the time has come for The Labour Party to seek a new candidate. The work of an MP is challenging and exciting but it takes it's toll on family life which is why I have taken this difficult decision. I remain firmly committed to fighting for Labour to win the upcoming General Election and am confident that, as they take a second look at Labour and a long hard look at the Conservatives, the British public will choose a future fair for all and a new Labour government."
She holds a wafer thin majority of just 37 over Conservative Cllr Henry Smith.
In the last two weeks we have also seen retirements in the harder-to-win seats of Halesowen and Rowley Regis and Blackpool North. Labour MPs do not seem to believe that the tighter national opinion polls are going to rescue them.
About 50 Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs are retiring in the Tories' top 200 target seats. The end of incumbent MPs' 'personal vote bonus' makes each of these seats more winnable.
Tim Montgomerie
