Two decades representing south-east London
Nick Raynsford has been the MP for Woolwich and Greenwich since 1997.
Before that he was the member for Greenwich (1992 - 1997) and the member for Fulham (1986-1987).
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MP: It's been an enormous privilege
Nick Raynsford said that he would like to extend his thanks and gratitude to all the people who had helped him during his time as MP for Greenwich and Woolwich.
He said:
"It has been an enormous privilege to represent this wonderful constituency, and I am proud of the advances which have been made over the past 20 years to improve the lives and prospects of local residents, strengthen the local economy and preserve and enhance our heritage and environment.
"I have also had the good fortune to contribute as a Government Minister between 1997 and 2005 to a series of measures which have improved the standard of public services and the quality of life for people throughout our country.
“We still face huge challenges, not least because of the harsh and damaging policies of the current Government, but I am confident, particularly if we return a Labour Government at the next General Election, that the future will be brighter._
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“As I will be 70 in 2015, I feel that will be the right time to stand aside. But I will continue to fulfil all my responsibilities in the meantime as MP for Greenwich and Woolwich and to be as available to constituents as I have endeavoured to be over the past 21 years.
"I will also work closely with whoever is chosen as my successor to secure a Labour victory at the next General Election.
“I have benefitted hugely from the support, advice and hard work of many people over the time I have been MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of them. I owe them a huge debt of gratitude”.
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Greenwich MP to stand down
Nick Raynsford, the MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, has announced his intention to stand down at the next election.
Assembly's Woolwich station appeal
The Chair of London's Transport Committee has called on the Mayor Boris Johnson to ensure funding is in place for a new station at Woolwich. There were fears that a funding gap might leave Woolwich without a station for the launch of Crossrail in 2018.
Here's how our Political Correspondent Simon Harris reported the story in February 2013
Assembly appeal over Woolwich funding delay
The London Assembly’s Transport Committee has called on Mayor Boris Johnson to clarify funding to enable a station at Woolwich to be up and running in time for Crossrail’s launch in 2018.
While the station box at Woolwich – equivalent to the size of 32 Olympic swimming pools – is now in place ready for tunnelling to commence, there still remains no agreement about funding the fitting-out of thenew station
Caroline Pidgeon, Chair of the Transport Committee, said:
"Construction of a new Crossrail station at Woolwich – delivering 12 trains per hour during peak times, – is an amazing chance to deliver connectivity, employment and regeneration to this area.
"If an agreement is not reached soon, the delay could make its construction more costly and complicated. It would be a wasted opportunity if residents of the Woolwich area and beyond are not able experience the full benefits of a route designed to regenerate some of the poorer areas of London.
"We’re calling on the Mayor to clarify the steps being taken to ensure that the station is in place by the time Crossrail is launched.”
Faulty guard rail caused hospital death
A 97-year-old woman died in hospital after falling out of bed because of a faulty guard rail, according to an inquest.
Julia Francis fell to the floor at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich after being admitted for a chest infection.
Southwark Coroner's Court heard that the fall worsened an old hip injury and the subsequent operation caused further problems. She later died of pneumonia at a care home in Thamesmead.
Her son William was told by a nursing assistant that one of the safety pins in the bed had come loose. He said: "My mother was an elderly lady but there was no indication before the fall that her health was deteriorating in a manner which would have been considered serious"
Recording a verdict of Accidental Death, Coroner Christopher Williams said: "First of all I have to take Mrs Francis' age into consideration when making this verdict. She was clearly a very frail lady and as such her health could be called into question.
"However, it is clear from the evidence presented that the immobility caused by the operation needed after sustaining the fall played a significant part in her condition worsening in the way it did over the next two weeks
"I am satisfied with the evidence given and that the fall did play a significant part in the accident, though I will stress I am not apportioning any blame on staff at the hospital.
"This was an unfortunate incident and I am satisfied appropriate measures have since been taken to prevent this from happening again"
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Charge over Woolwich murder
A man has been charged with the murder of a 35-year-old man in south east London.
Marcus Innocent was shot dead on 19 December, following reports of an incident in Woolwich.
Daniel Burgess, who's 32 and from Dartford, will appear at Bromley Magistrates' Court tomorrow morning.
Shooting murder: Two more arrested
Policeinvestigating a shooting in which a man died after an attack by a gang havemade two further arrests.
Marcus Innocent, 35, was killed in Woolwich, south-east London, at 6.20pm on Monday following an altercation with a large group of up to 20 people near shops in Kingsman Street, Scotland Yard said.
Policebelieve Mr Innocent was initially set upon by one person from the group, andthen by a larger number, after which he was shot.
Somemembers of the group then ran off, while others got into cars parked in nearbyLord Warwick Street and drove off.
Police have since arrested and bailed eight men on suspicion of murder.
Woolwich pupils celebrate GCSEs
Pupils have been celebrating their GCSE results at a school which was once amongst the worst in the country. Under an inspired headteacher, Woolwich Polytechnic has gone from strength to strength and recently became the first Secondary School to be awarded exceptional status. Liz Wickham reports.
NHS trust goes into administration
An NHS Trust which is losing a million pounds a week has become the first in the country to be put under the control of a special administrator.
South London Healthcare NHS Trust runs Queen Mary's in Sidcup, the Queen Elizabeth in Woolwich and the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley.
The government has appointed Matthew Kershaw, a former NHS chief executive, to get the trust back on track following criticism of standards and a defecit of more than 150 million pounds.