Walsall MP Bruce George today announced he is to make a U-turn on his decision to stand down at the next election if the country goes to the polls before the end of the year.

Mr George, who announced the 2005 election would be his last, says he will stay on if a November vote is called, to prevent an unknown Labour candidate being parachuted in at the last minute.

The 65-year-old politician, who has lived in Walsall for 37 years and represented the borough  for 34 years, said it was a “contingency plan” as another local Labour candidate had not yet been found.

“If it’s not me the national party will select the candidate and, frankly, I do not like the idea of somebody parachuting in,” he said.

“I can’t speak for everybody but I suspect people would not like a centrally imposed candidate who has been plucked from wherever and told to head for Walsall.”

Mr George, who represents Walsall South, said while he was not convinced there would be a general election this year he felt it was his duty and his desire not to abandon his constituents before another local candidate was found.

“If, and I have to stress the if word, there is an election I can confirm that I will be the candidate for the constituency. 

“I said at the last election I wasn’t standing again but the current scenario has moved on so very quickly that my previous decision no longer applies,” he said.

Mr George said he had given much thought to the time it would take to select a candidate and was not convinced a suitable person could be found in a matter of weeks.

Mr Brown is expected to analyse the polls this weekend before making a decision on whether to call an election.