Former footballer Gary Neville has ruled out any future bid to become a Labour MP.
Appearing at the party’s conference in Liverpool on Monday, he said he has “no intention of going into politics” as he does not want to give up the businesses he co-owns or his work in football.
The Manchester United defender turned Sky Sports pundit added that he is “not going to be tempted” to stand in the upcoming by-election in West Lancashire.
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The former England star confirmed he had joined the Labour Party back in January this year.
But speaking to broadcasters on Monday, he ruled out any further progression.
“It’s something that I’ve been asked regularly over the last 12 to 18 months,” he said.
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“I’ve got no intention of going into politics at all because the reality is I love what I do so much.
“I love what I do in football. I love what I do in the in Greater Manchester with the businesses that I co-own.
“And I have to say that I wouldn’t want to give that up. I feel as though I’m happy in what I’m doing.
“I want to continue to do the things that I’m doing locally in Greater Manchester. I have to say that I feel politically motivated, but I can do as much, I think, for the Labour Party being here today as I can do being an MP.”
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‘Get behind Keir Starmer’
In a later conversation on the main conference stage with Keir Starmer and shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell, Neville urged delegates to “get behind” the Labour leader as he is a “serious politician”.
Asked what advice he would give the party to put it on the path to victory, he said: “Remain laser-focused and aligned behind a single goal – which is to remove this Conservative government and put everything else aside and focus on that alone.”
He added: “Not only is this current government damaging us in our country, our relationships with our partners in Europe and around the world are broken and shattered.
“We need to rebuild our reputation and that is not going to happen under a Conservative government.”
Asked for his view on Liz Truss, Neville said: “She has tanked the pound lower than my reputation in Liverpool.”
Entering the stage, he had joked: “Usually when I see reds in Liverpool I’m in big trouble. It is the best reception I have ever had here.”
