MP diagnosed with cancer tells King ‘it’s not the end of the world’

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

An MP diagnosed with cancer has reassured the King medical advances mean “it isn’t the end of the world”.

Barry Sheerman said he was diagnosed with cancer “just after the last election” and initially thought “it was the end of the world”.

But the 83-year-old MP said he has had an “active life” since then, and wanted to send the King the “good news” about advances in treatments.

Mr Sheerman was speaking in the House of Commons during a session of questions related to the business of the House.

The Labour MP for Huddersfield announced in December 2021 that he will be standing down at the next election – which is due before the end of January 2025.

He told the Commons on Thursday: “When I first received my diagnosis for cancer just after the last election, I thought it was the end of the world and I would not be able to carry on with my job of representing the people of Huddersfield, and doing all the stuff that I love about being an active parliamentarian.”

But he said cancer treatment has “changed dramatically”.

He said: “The whole world for someone who is diagnosed with cancer is much brighter than it was. And I suppose in a way I want to send a message to His Majesty that it isn’t the end of the world.

“I have had a very active life since that diagnosis. I can still make myself a real pain … to the Speaker and the rest of my colleagues in the House of Commons.”

He called for a parliamentary debate on the improvements in treatments, saying: “Things have changed, let’s take a little bit of good news to His Majesty.”

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt thanked Mr Sheerman for such a “positive and thoughtful message” for the King and all Britons diagnosed with cancer.

She added: “There is a huge amount to celebrate through treatments, through the amazing research base that we have here, and also our fantastic third sector organisations.”