Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma is stepping down at the upcoming general election on 4 July 2024.

In his resignation letter, on Monday 27 May 2024, he stated that after 50 years of serving the party in various roles, including 17 years as an MP, it is time for a new chapter.

Mr. Sharma, a former Ealing Councillor, has been the representative for Ealing Southall since 2007, succeeding MP Piara Khabra after a by-election prompted by his death.

In the 2019 election, Mr. Sharma had a majority of 16,084 votes over the Conservatives and 60.8 % of the total vote.

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In his letter to Ealing Southall Labour Party members, Mr Sharma wrote: "It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as the Member of Parliament for Ealing Southall. Across five elections I have been honoured to be re-elected each time, and to have had the support of the Labour Party to stand again now."

"It has been a pleasure to work for and with the many people of Ealing Southall, in Greenford, West Ealing, Hanwell, Northfields and Southall. I am proud of what we have achieved, the vibrancy of our community and its unity."

"It is clear to me that the country is crying out for change, and that Keir, Angela and the whole Labour Party represent the change this country needs. I was proud to nominate Keir for leader in 2020, and the promises he made then to rebuild this party have put us on the path to power and made me proud to serve as a Labour MP. We swept antisemitism from the Labour Party and we have gone from our worst result in a century, to the edge of Government."

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"As a British-Indian and as a Hindu, as a Labour Member, Councillor and MP I have never struggled to reconcile those different, but complimentary, identities. Over nearly 50 years I have served the party in one form or another. Now I believe the time has come for another chapter to begin."

"I want to let you know that I will not be standing at the next election. From surgeries, community forums, charity fairs and street stalls, I am proud of the work we have done standing up to the Tories and for the people of Ealing Southall. I am sure my successor will do the same and wish whoever they are the best of luck in the most amazing job they will ever have."

"This does not dim my desire for Labour to win, and win I am sure we will. I will continue to support Labour, and I hope to continue to be part of the Labour project, but not from inside the House of Commons. The help and backing of so many friends and family over the last fifty years made this possible, but especially the constant unstinting support of Nirmala my wife."

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"I want to wish you the best of luck for the election campaign, I will still be there pounding the streets, and look forward to celebrating Labour’s entry into Downing Street with all of you."

Candidates standing in the 4 July 2024 General Election for Ealing Southall are:

Deirdre Costigan (Labour)
Georgie Callé (Conservative)
Tariq Mahmood (Liberal Democrats)
Neil Reynolds (Green Party)
Steve Chilcott (Reform UK)