A North East MP who has represented a city centre seat for fourteen years had revealed she will not be standing at the next general election.

Labour's Julie Elliott, who represents Sunderland Central, announced the news this morning (May 28) on X (formerly Twitter) and said the move comes after "much deliberation".

Ms Elliott was first elected to represent the constituency in 2010 and in 2019 held on to her seat by just over 2,500 votes.

In a statement posted online, Ms Elliott thanked her staff and colleagues and spoke of her pride in Sunderland - a "great city".

She wrote: "Having spent the weekend with my family and after much deliberation I have decided that I will not be standing as a candidate at the General Election.

"It has been the privilege of my life to represent the constituency of Sunderland Central since 2010. This is the area I have always lived in an while it is with some sadness that I leave the House of Commons it is the right time for me to do so."

She added: "I am proud to have played my part in the cultural and economic regeneration taking place in Sunderland; from the cultural quarte to the Vaux site, the Sheepfolds and Crown Works Studios in Pallion.

"I will always be very grateful to the people of Sunderland and The Labour Party for giving me the opportunity to serve our great city in Westminster."

This news comes just under a week after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in the pouring rain, called a snap general election to take place on July 4. 

In his speech, Mr Sunak said: “In the last five years our country has fought through the most challenging times since the Second World War.

“As I stand here as your Prime Minister, I can’t help but reflect that my first proper introduction to you was just over four years ago. I stood behind one of the podiums upstairs in the building behind me.

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“I told you that we faced a generation-defining moment and that we as a society could not be judged by some Government action, but by the small acts of kindness we showed one another.

“You met that challenge and then some, and I had never been prouder to be British.”

Since then, dozens of MPs from both sides of the house have announced they will not be standing - including Alex Cunningham for Stockton North, Kevan Jones for North Durham and Ian Mearns for Gateshead.