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Kelly to step down from cabinet Kelly to step down from cabinet
(about 1 hour later)
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is to step down from government.Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is to step down from government.
Gordon Brown said Ms Kelly, who has four children under 11, wanted to be with them "as they grow up". Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the mother of four young children wanted to be with them "as they grow up".
The prime minister told the BBC she had informed him of her plans in May. He said they were "nothing to do with politics" and she remained "a fan". He told the BBC Ms Kelly had informed him of her plans in May and said they were "nothing to do with politics". She remained "a fan" of his, he added.
Mr Brown, who sought to reassert his leadership with his big conference speech on Tuesday, denied suggestions further resignations might follow. Mr Brown, who sought to reassert his leadership in his conference speech on Tuesday, denied suggestions more resignations might follow.
Ms Kelly is to step down at the next reshuffle, which may come next week after the Conservative Party conference.Ms Kelly is to step down at the next reshuffle, which may come next week after the Conservative Party conference.
Bolton West MP Ms Kelly was appointed transport secretary in July 2007 after Mr Brown took over as prime minister. She had previously been communities secretary and the education secretary. 'No political issues'
There had been speculation the 40-year-old could leave the government because of her objections to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. The Bolton West MP, whose four children are aged 11 or under, was appointed transport secretary in July 2007 after Mr Brown took over as prime minister.
There had been speculation the 40-year-old, a devout Catholic, could leave the government because of her objections to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
She is very happy in her job as transport secretary but thought the time had come to spend more time with her four young children Labour Party source Ruth Kelly profileShe is very happy in her job as transport secretary but thought the time had come to spend more time with her four young children Labour Party source Ruth Kelly profile
But Mr Brown denied her decision had anything to do with the bill or because of any unhappiness with his leadership or government. Ms Kelly, who previously served as communities secretary and education secretary, is understood to have wanted to resign in May, but been asked by Mr Brown to stay on until the next reshuffle.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said he understood that although Ms Kelly wanted to resign in May, Mr Brown had asked her to stay on until the next reshuffle. BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Ms Kelly was known to be unhappy with the direction of the government in recent months and, before the prime minister's conference speech on Tuesday, a number of cabinet ministers had been considering resigning with her.
Nick Robinson said that she had told friends she has done her time and that she was making a life change as the first of her children starts secondary school. But the prime minister told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There are no political issues between Ruth and me."
But he added that Ms Kelly was known to be unhappy with the direction of the Government in recent months and before Tuesday's conference speech a number of ministers at cabinet level had been considering whether to resign with her in protest at the direction of the party. He also said: "Ruth has been an MP all the time that her children have been growing up...
Although it was not Ms Kelly's intention that the story emerged in the early hours of Wednesday, Downing Street deny suggestions that they released the news, Nick Robinson added. "This is the decision that every parent faces. It is nothing to do with politics. Sometimes we have got to make decisions that are difficult."
The reshuffle could also see Geoff Hoon made a European commissioner, a No 10 source said. It is well known that Ruth Kelly was among those most unhappy with the direction of the Labour Party under Gordon Brown Nick RobinsonBBC political editor class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/2008/09/life_change_for.html">Read Nick's blog in full
Mr Hoon, meanwhile, chief whip and MP for Ashfield, refused to say whether he had discussed the issue of a reshuffle with Mr Brown. The reshuffle could also see Chief Whip Geoff Hoon made a European commissioner, a No 10 source said.
A former Member of the European Parliament, he is reportedly being lined up to replace Peter Mandelson in Brussels. The MP for Ashfield, a former Member of the European Parliament, is reportedly being lined up to replace Peter Mandelson.
Mr Hoon told the BBC: "I have not had a discussion specifically relevant to me.Mr Hoon told the BBC: "I have not had a discussion specifically relevant to me.
"What would actually be by far the best solution, if it is possible, would be for Peter Mandelson to remain in post. "What would actually be by far the best solution, if it is possible, would be for Peter Mandelson to remain in post. I've certainly had discussions along those lines."
"I've certainly had discussions along those lines."
Huge pressureHuge pressure
Mr Brown addressed Labour's annual conference on Tuesday, with his claim that now was "no time for a novice" seen as an attack on David Cameron and a coded warning to supporters of would-be Labour challenger David Miliband. Mr Brown addressed Labour's annual conference on Tuesday, claiming it was "no time for a novice" to lead the country.
Labour's leader reasserted his authority over the party by telling rebels to focus on challenges facing the country, not internal party rows. This was seen as an attack on Conservative leader David Cameron and a coded warning to supporters of would-be Labour challenger David Miliband, the foreign secretary.
Mr Brown also sought to reassert his authority by telling party rebels to focus on challenges facing the country, not internal rows.
The prime minister insisted he would steer the country through the current financial crisis.The prime minister insisted he would steer the country through the current financial crisis.
BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti said Mr Brown appeared to have bought himself time after Tuesday's speech.
Gordon Brown is due to discuss the global economyGordon Brown is due to discuss the global economy
She said the prime minister had been under "huge pressure" to deliver a good performance and the general view among delegates was that he pulled it off. He said the Tories could not be trusted to run the economy and vowed Labour would not stop fighting for a "fair society".
In his speech, Mr Brown said the Tories could not be trusted to run the economy and vowed Labour would not stop fighting for a "fair society".
He delivered a more personal conference address than normal, preceded by an unusual introduction on to the stage by his wife Sarah.He delivered a more personal conference address than normal, preceded by an unusual introduction on to the stage by his wife Sarah.
Mr Brown told GMTV that he had been "surprised" that his wife had wanted to do the introduction - but said she wanted to show that they were a team. Mr Brown told Today that "it was her decision to speak", adding: "We work as a team and we are very much people who know that we are in public life."
The conference will come to a close with speeches by Health Secretary Alan Johnson, Schools Secretary Ed Balls and Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman. The Labour conference will come to a close with speeches by Health Secretary Alan Johnson, Schools Secretary Ed Balls and Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman.
Mr Brown is due at a US meeting of world leaders on the economic crisis after the Labour conference ends. Mr Brown is later due to attend an economic crisis meeting of world leaders at the United Nations general assembly in New York.
In New York, the prime minister will be speaking to other leaders at the United Nations general assembly.
Although most discussions will be about the Millennium Development Goals, he will also use the visit to raise the banking crisis with fellow world leaders.
Have your given up your job or career for the sake of your children? What is your reaction to Ruth Kelly's decision? Send us your comments using the form below.Have your given up your job or career for the sake of your children? What is your reaction to Ruth Kelly's decision? Send us your comments using the form below.
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