Peter Pike (British politician)

Peter Leslie Pike (born 26 June 1937) is a former Labour Party politician in the United Kingdom. He served as the Member of Parliament for Burnley, from 1983 to 2005.[2] During 2002, he announced his intention to retire as an MP at the next general election. In December 2002, Labour announced they were preparing to choose a woman as his successor.[3]

In January 2003, an all women shortlist was made over his successor.[4] His youngest daughter, Jane, was an firm favourite to succeed him, but she did not make the shortlist.[5] In February 2004, Kitty Ussher was chosen as his successor.[6] In December 2013, his role in the Anti-Apartheid Movement was praised in Parliament during tributes to former anti apartheid activist and President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

He made three visits to South Africa from 1986 to 1990.[7]

In June 2015, he was re elected as Chair of Burnley Constituency Labour Party. He stepped down from this role in January 2016, citing the party needs a younger and much more active chair. He gave up party office after almost sixty years of holding several positions, including Member of Parliament of Burnley. He first came to the town in 1963.[8][9]