A by-election will be held this autumn in a strong Labour seat after Rosie Cooper announced she was stepping down as an MP after 17 years. The Labour MP, who has represented West Lancashire since 2005, said the announcement "will come as a surprise to many people" as she had recently secured reselection to stand in the seat for the next election. Ms Cooper, 72, said she is stepping down because she has accepted a new role as chair of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. Labour confirmed to Sky News that a by-election for her seat will take place "this...