Tracey Crouch: Tory MP to step down after ‘life affirming cancer journey’

Published

1 year ago

February 12, 2024

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Conservative MP Tracey Crouch has announced she will stand down at the next election after her “life affirming experience” of having cancer and “coming out the other side”.

The former sports minister, who has represented Chatham and Aylesford since 2010, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, aged 44.

She spent five months of lockdown receiving chemotherapy and continued with radiotherapy, but announced in 2021 that she had been given the all clear – urging women of all ages to “check your bits and bobbins”.

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Posting a letter she wrote to her local Conservative Party chairman on X, Ms Crouch said her reasons for not wanting to stand for parliament again were “entirely personal and positive”.

She added: “While everyone’s cancer journey is different, for me going through a diagnosis and coming out the other side of treatment has been a life affirming experience.

“It has been an opportunity to pause and reflect on my own personal priorities and based on that I truly believe it is time to seek a new professional challenge.

“We spend far too much time in our relatively short lives putting things off but at some point, you have to say to yourself if not now, when and for me I have realised that when is now.”

During her time in parliament, Ms Crouch – an FA qualified coach – became well known for her passion for football and campaigned on a number of issues, including gambling restrictions and help for those with dementia.

She also became the first Tory minister to take maternity leave in 2016, revealing she had a miscarriage during the 2015 general election campaign and wanted to put family first.

In the letter, Ms Crouch thanked her constituents, staff and her local party, adding: “I turn 50 next year and a new adventure awaits.

“I have no idea yet what it entails and that is both exciting and scary but what I do know is that I will forever be grateful for my time in parliament, build upon the vast experience it has given me, and enjoy the challenge of whatever comes next.”

Ms Crouch becomes the 57th Tory MP to announce they will not stand at the next election.

Politics

UK restores diplomatic ties with Syria

Published

2 hours ago

July 6, 2025

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The UK has re-established diplomatic ties with Syria, David Lammy has said, as he made the first visit to the country by a British minister for 14 years.

The foreign secretary visited Damascus and met with interim president Ahmed al Sharaa, also the leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and foreign minister Asaad al Shaibani.

It marks the latest diplomatic move since Bashar al Assad’s regime was toppled by rebel groups led by HTS in December.

In a statement, Mr Lammy said a “stable Syria is in the UK’s interests” and added: “I’ve seen first-hand the remarkable progress Syrians have made in rebuilding their lives and their country.

“After over a decade of conflict, there is renewed hope for the Syrian people.

“The UK is re-establishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians.”

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has also announced a £94.5m support package for urgent humanitarian aid and to support the country’s long-term recovery, after a number of British sanctions against the country were lifted in April.

While HTS is still classified as a proscribed terror group, Sir Keir Starmer said last year that it could be removed from the list.

The Syrian president’s office also said on Saturday that the president and Mr Lammy discussed co-operation, as well as the latest developments in the Middle East.

Since Assad fled Syria in December, a transitional government headed by Mr al Sharaa was announced in March and a number of western countries have restored ties.

In May, US President Donald Trump said the United States would lift long-standing sanctions on Syria and normalise relations during a speech at the US-Saudi investment conference.

He said he wanted to give the country “a chance at peace” and added: “There is a new government that will hopefully succeed.

“I say good luck, Syria. Show us something special.”

Politics

Secret Service seizes $400M in crypto, cold wallet among world’s largest

Published

4 hours ago

July 6, 2025

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Secret Service seizes 0M in crypto, cold wallet among world’s largest

Secret Service quietly amasses one of the world’s largest crypto cold wallets with $400 million seized, exposing scams through blockchain sleuthing and VPN missteps.