Barnet and Camden’s London Assembly member Andrew Dismore will not contest his seat at next year’s election.

The Labour politician has been in the role since 2012 but has today told Camden councillors he will not be seeking reselection for personal reasons.

The 64-year-old former MP for Hendon wrote in an email, seen by the Ham&High, it had been a “privilege” to represent the party and help so many constituents over the years.

He added: “However, after almost 40 years in elected politics as a Labour Party councillor, MP and now Assembly Member, it feels the time is right to stand down at the May 2020 London elections.

“My decision is not on political but personal grounds.

“After so long a time in frontline politics, I would like to help and encourage someone else to have the opportunity of representing the people of Barnet and Camden.

“Needless to say, I will continue to serve the two boroughs for the remainder of my term of office. I will also do all I can to support Labour’s new candidate for the 2020 assembly election to retain the seat for Labour and to re-elect Sadiq as mayor.”

Speaking to the Ham&High, he added: “I have enjoyed my time as an elected politician, especially fighting marginal constituencies like Hendon for parliament and Barnet and Camden on the assembly, and I shall still be around joining in Labour campaigns after I stand down.

“As Tony Benn said when he left the Commons, this will give me more time to spend on politics.”

Mr Dismore’s name may be perhaps most familiar to our readers as a regular fixture on the Ham&High letters page, where his lengthy exchanges with Hampstead campaigner Jessica Learmond-Criqui on the subject of police funding have stretched over months if not years.