HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman is to stand for Parliament for another term.

The Labour veteran has been formally asked by party officials if he intends to run for the Huddersfield seat and he’s confirmed he will.

Speaking to the Examiner, Barry said: “I’m one of the most active MPs in Parliament and I will continue to fight the fight for Huddersfield and Yorkshire.

“I have a lot of experience and a bit of wisdom. I think coming into Parliament after a career has helped me greatly.

“There’s a culture of people, across all political parties, of not doing anything outside Parliament; they’ve been researchers or special advisors.

“I worked in the chemical industry and taught in university for a number of years and I believe it has given me a good grounding.

“I do worry when you look cross party at the narrowness of the base and background experience.”

He also said being in opposition had meant he could devote time to working on a number of social enterprises and within his constituency, which had also given him a wider view of life outside Parliament.

“The lifestyle of an MP is very demanding, but I’m fit and healthy and ready for another term,” he added.

The MP was elected to Parliament in 1979, representing the then Huddersfield East constituency. It became the Huddersfield constituency in 1983 and he has won the seat at every election since.

During his career he has been the Labour Party shadow spokesman for work and pensions, home affairs and education.

Education has been a major part of his political career as the MP has sat on various education committees, including a reign as chairman of the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee.

His decision to continue means the Labour backbencher will fight for his ninth consecutive term at the next general election, expected to be in 2015, and he will be aged 74 at the time.

Barry added the Labour leader Ed Miliband had his support: “I think he has matured quite dramatically in the short time he has been leader.

“Everyone knows I campaigned and was close to David Miliband. My daughter was his special adviser and my other daughter his lawyer – the Sheerman family were very much supporters of David.

“But when you lose, by however narrow the margin, you get back to work straight away.

“I am solidly behind our leader.”

LOCAL MPS BY NUMBERS

So far in 2013 Barry Sheerman has submitted 23 written questions to Commons debates and spoken at 48 debates.

Colne Valley Conservative MP Jason McCartney has submitted four written questions and spoken at 24 debates.

Craig Whittaker, Conservative MP for the Calder Valley, has submitted two written questions and spoken at six debates.

Simon Reevell, Conservative Dewsbury MP, has submitted no written questions and has spoken at just one debate.