RICHARD Howitt MEP, who is standing down having represented Essex in the European Parliament since 1994, will give a formal farewell in a speech to Harlow Labour Party tonight (Monday 17 October).

The Labour Euro MP and former Leader of Harlow Council says he hopes to keep his many friends in the town, but will offer his thanks for a last time as MEP both to party activists and to many local organisations and individuals in Harlow.

Richard Howitt MEP says:

“I have been deeply proud to promote jobs and business in Harlow, including involving what is now the O-I factory in European glass recycling, local Glaxo Smith Kline scientists in European medicine development and manufacturing jobs in the town for the European Airbus Project.

“The European New Towns Platform we established will allow partnerships forged for Harlow across Europe, to continue in to the future.

“I will always remember some fantastic EU projects with Harlow College including for disabled students and campaigns such as the fight to keep the Harlow Tesco Distribution Centre.

“There have been some difficult moments including the fire-bombing of the Harlow Islamic Centre and the recent murder of one of our Polish citizens.

“But the way schools are already working to tackle racism and the brilliant leadership in faith communities and in local organisations like Integration Support Services – also with European funding – shows that the best in the Harlow community will always come out on top.

“It was with personal sadness that I saw the referendum result in Harlow as elsewhere, but we have to respect the result and I hope our country will still be able to negotiate a new relationship with Europe based on close cooperation and partnership.

“I will always treasure how I was first elected as a Harlow councillor and although I may be standing down as a Member of the European Parliament, my friendships and sentimental attachment to the town will always endure.”