In April 2018, Parker announced he would not contest the following month's election because he was caring for his 90-year-old mother Jean. Local politicians from other parties were pleased that the BNP would no longer be present in Pendle. He endorsed Labour candidate Laura Blackburn over McGowan, leading to further allegations of a pact between the two parties; this was denied by local Labour representatives including leader Mohammed Iqbal. Parker's retirement was celebrated by the anti-fascist group Hope not Hate, who released commemorative mugs and teatowels for the occasion. Parker's party called him the "most successful BNP councillor ever".
