BIRKENHEAD MP Mick Whitley has thanked his constituents stating that serving his hometown in Parliament has been an “immense honour and privilege” as he steps down.

Mr Whitley has served as Birkenhead MP since 2019 when he defeated former Labour MP Frank Field who ran as an independent candidate under the banner of the Birkenhead Social Justice Party.

The 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies meant he was challenged by Wirral South MP Alison McGovern for the Labour selection for Birkenhead for the next general election and was deselected. 

Ms McGovern, who was previously the MP for Wirral South, stood for Birkenhead after boundary changes meant that her constituency joined the expanded Birkenhead seat.

Ms McGovern won with 59% of the vote with Mr Whitley getting 41%. The votes were 266 to 186.

Posting on X, Mr Whitley said: “Tonight, Parliament will be dissolved, and I will no longer be your Member of Parliament. Representing my hometown in Parliament has been a privilege. To everyone who's supported me over the past four years - local Labour Party members, constituents, friends - thank you.”

Along with his post, he shared a statement that read: “Tonight parliament will be dissolved, and I will cease to be the Member of Parliament for Birkenhead.

“Serving my hometown in Parliament has been an immense honour and privilege. I was born and bred in Birkenhead and my heart and soul went into this job. Through four turbulent years, Birkenhead has been at the front, right, and centre of everything that I’ve done.

“Thank you to everyone who’s supported me in this role. In solidarity Mick.”