Ex Finchley and Golders Green MP announces he has incurable cancer
RUDI Vis, the former MP for Finchley and Golders Green, has announced he has incurable cancer in a brave farewell letter to his constituents after nearly 13 years in Parliament. Mr Vis did not stand for re-election earlier this month and in the letter he
RUDI Vis, the former MP for Finchley and Golders Green, has announced he has incurable cancer in a brave farewell letter to his constituents after nearly 13 years in Parliament.
Mr Vis did not stand for re-election earlier this month and in the letter he explains his decision while remembering some of his experiences as an MP and extolling the virtues of the seat.
He said: "Why do I not fight in this election? I'll be 70 years old next time and talent, if ever there was any, is not growing as easily. Experience might be enhanced over the years but mere backbenchers face terrific difficulties in making themselves heard.
"Most unfortunately I have recently been diagnosed with incurable cancer with all its attendant nastiness, chemotherapy, feeling below par and being totally out of breath."
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Finchley and Golders Green has been special, he said, and he never had the desire to stand anywhere else, although he admits he did not think his party would win the seat in 1997.
He paid tribute to his "politically sophisticated" constituents and their efforts on issues including College Farm and nuclear trains in Cricklewood, as well as many planning issues, insolvency matters and issues of assistance to non-governmental organisations.
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He said he had enjoyed the banter, serious conversation, jokes and debates that came with the job. He labelled Iraq, student fees and foundation hospitals as being among quite a few mishaps by the Labour Government.
Finally he said he could name hundreds of party members, friends and acquaintances he would like to thank, but he reserved special mention for Jacqui, his wife of 25 years.
To see the full letter read tomorrow's Ham&High.
