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Kelly to step down from cabinet Kelly to step down from cabinet
(30 minutes later)
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is to step down from the government at the next cabinet reshuffle.Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is to step down from the government at the next cabinet reshuffle.
The mother-of-four said it was time to "step back and repay" her family for "the support that they've given me". The mother-of-four told the Labour conference it was time to "step back" from politics and put her family first.
Asked about reports she was unhappy with Gordon Brown's leadership, she described him as a "towering figure". Amid reports she was unhappy with Gordon Brown's leadership, she described him as a "towering figure".
Mr Brown told the BBC Ms Kelly had informed him of her plans in May, adding: "There are no political issues between Ruth and me."Mr Brown told the BBC Ms Kelly had informed him of her plans in May, adding: "There are no political issues between Ruth and me."
Mr Brown, who sought to reassert his leadership in his conference speech on Tuesday, denied suggestions more resignations might follow.Mr Brown, who sought to reassert his leadership in his conference speech on Tuesday, denied suggestions more resignations might follow.
Embryology BillEmbryology Bill
The reshuffle could come as early as next week, following the Conservative Party conference.The reshuffle could come as early as next week, following the Conservative Party conference.
Ms Kelly, whose four children are aged 11 or under, was appointed transport secretary in July 2007 after Mr Brown took over as prime minister.Ms Kelly, whose four children are aged 11 or under, was appointed transport secretary in July 2007 after Mr Brown took over as prime minister.
As well as a frontline politician, I'm also proud to be a mother and wife Ruth Kelly
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.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.
Ruth Kelly on her resignation
Bolton West MP Ms Kelly, who previously served as communities secretary and education secretary, is understood to have wanted to resign in May, but to been asked by Mr Brown to stay on until the next reshuffle.Bolton West MP Ms Kelly, who previously served as communities secretary and education secretary, is understood to have wanted to resign in May, but to been asked by Mr Brown 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.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.
But Ms Kelly told reporters at the Labour conference in Manchester: "I'm a great supporter of the Labour Party. I think the Labour government has started to transform Britain... 'Determination'
"I cannot think of anyone better than Gordon Brown as leader of the Labour Party. He is a towering figure in the Labour Party." But Ms Kelly told the Labour conference in Manchester: "It's been a tremendous privilege to have worked with both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, two towering figures in the Labour Party, government and on the world stage.
"But, as well as a frontline politician, I'm also proud to be a mother and wife...
"I now owe it to my friends and family to take a step back and put them first.
"I know that if I do not, it's something that I will come to regret deeply."
Labour retained the "vision and determination to see this country through difficult times", she added.
The prime minister told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There are no political issues between Ruth and me."The prime minister told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There are no political issues between Ruth and me."
He also said: "Ruth has been an MP all the time that her children have been growing up...He also said: "Ruth has been an MP all the time that her children have been growing up...
"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.""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."
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 Read Nick's blog in fullRuth Kelly profileIt 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 Read Nick's blog in fullRuth Kelly profile
The reshuffle could also see Chief Whip Geoff Hoon made a European commissioner, a No 10 source said.The reshuffle could also see Chief Whip Geoff Hoon made a European commissioner, a No 10 source said.
The MP for Ashfield, a former Member of the European Parliament, is reportedly being lined up to replace Peter Mandelson.The MP for Ashfield, a former Member of the European Parliament, is reportedly being lined up to replace Peter Mandelson.
But Mr Hoon told the BBC: "I have not had a discussion specifically relevant to me.But 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. I've certainly had discussions along those lines.""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."
Huge pressureHuge pressure
Mr Brown addressed Labour's annual conference on Tuesday, claiming it was "no time for a novice" to lead the country.Mr Brown addressed Labour's annual conference on Tuesday, claiming it was "no time for a novice" to lead the country.
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.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.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.
Gordon Brown gives his reaction to Ms Kelly's decisionGordon Brown gives his reaction to Ms Kelly's decision
He said the Tories could not be trusted to run the economy and vowed Labour would not stop fighting for a "fair society".He 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 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."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 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.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 later due to attend an economic crisis meeting of world leaders at the United Nations general assembly in New York.Mr Brown is later due to attend an economic crisis meeting of world leaders at the United Nations general assembly in New York.
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.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
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