Cryer praised by friend and foe

4:19pm Thursday 21st August 2008

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Retiring Keighley and Ilkley MP Ann Cryer was last night described as a woman not afraid to stand up for what she believed in, leaving Government ministers cowering in the face of her onslaught.

She was hailed an “incredibly brave” politician with qualities people should aspire to have, as news spread of her decision to quit the Commons.

Labour MP Mrs Cryer announced this week she will stand down at the next election.

She said she had taken the hard decision following a small number of health problems and the fact she could be 75 when she retired if she fought the seat again.

Labour’s Bradford North MP Terry Rooney said: “Ann has done 11 years and she has been a doughty champion for the people of Keighley.

“She has never been afraid to take up unpopular causes when she felt it was just.

“She has made a big impression with numerous Home Secretaries who have cowered in the face of her onslaught. She will be sadly missed.”

Bradford South MP and Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: “She has put a lot of work and service in Keighley over the years. It is a personal decision and I understand.

“It is a very busy schedule being an MP.”

Mrs Cryer came to Westminster with Labour’s landslide in 1997. Her first late husband Bob held the Keighley seat and then the Bradford South seat before his death in 1994.

Shipley Tory MP Philip Davies said: “It is obviously good news for the Conservatives she is standing down because she was and would have been a very formidable opponent.

“She is an incredibly brave politician who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.

“If there were more politicians with these qualities, politicians would be more respected than they are generally.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who sees Mrs Cryer every Wednesday as she sits on the parliamentary committee, hailed her as a “distinguished servant of the people of Keighley.”

He said: “For over 20 years Ann has been battling for Keighley – fighting its corner, articulating its needs, representing its best hopes.

“She knows every inch of her constituency and her understanding of its communities is second to none.

“After encountering a number of forced marriages among her constituents, she mounted a brave campaign to highlight the sometimes appalling mistreatment of women forced to be brides. Her ceaseless campaigning contributed to a number of changes to the law including the introduction of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act.”

Anyone wanting to leave a message for Mrs Cryer can visit www.yorkshireandhumberlabour.org.uk/thanksann Keighley West Labour councillor Catherine Rowen said: “I was part of Ann’s staff for ten years and am chairman of the Keighley constituency party so I know her very well.

“She will be missed. I think we will be hard-pushed to get someone to follow her.

“She has achieved so much for Keighley.”

Keighley East Tory councillor Dorothy Clamp said: “I think she has been a very good MP for the constituency and she has worked very hard.

“Some will be sorry to see her go, but I think it is time for some new blood – although that is not to detract from what Ann has done.”