Hinchliffe to back benches

Former social worker David Hinchliffe has stood down from
Labour’s front bench as community care spokesperson.

Hinchliffe said the reason was to devote more time to his
Wakefield constituency, which will incorporate potentially
Conservative-voting areas following redrawing by the Boundary
Commission.

He denied speculation that he had fallen out with New Labour’s
grab for the middle ground, and said he was satisfied with current
policy. ‘I am delighted that the party is now committed to ending
NHS trusts, the internal market and the two-tier system created by
GP fundholding,’ he said.

Hinchliffe told Community Care: ‘There is more to being
a Member of Parliament than simply seeking to be a junior minister.
I never actively sought a front-bench position.’