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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Ruth Kelly to stand down as an MP | Ruth Kelly to stand down as an MP |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly is to stand down as an MP at the next general election. | |
| She made the announcement at a Labour supporters' meeting in her Bolton West constituency. | She made the announcement at a Labour supporters' meeting in her Bolton West constituency. |
| Ms Kelly made it clear she wanted to spend more time with her four children as they grew up, and stressed she was not seeking a safer seat. | Ms Kelly made it clear she wanted to spend more time with her four children as they grew up, and stressed she was not seeking a safer seat. |
| She has already said she will leave the cabinet at the next reshuffle - expected on Friday. | She has already said she will leave the cabinet at the next reshuffle - expected on Friday. |
| 'Right decision' | |
| Ms Kelly said it had been an "honour and privilege" to serve the constituency since she became an MP in May 1997. | |
| "I've thoroughly enjoyed serving the people of my constituency and intend to continue to keep working diligently for them until the next general election," she said. | |
| I look forward to campaigning actively for Labour and firmly believe that we can win Bolton West at the next general election Ruth Kelly | |
| "I've taken the area to my heart and will leave with a touch of sadness and fond memories, although I'm sure the decision I have taken is right for myself and my family." | |
| She said she was confident Labour was well placed to deal with the current financial turmoil "under the strong leadership of Gordon Brown". | |
| Ms Kelly added: "I look forward to campaigning actively for Labour and firmly believe that we can win Bolton West at the next general election. | |
| "Only a Labour Bolton West MP working with a Labour government will build in the years to come on the solid foundations we've already laid." | |
| 'No issues' | 'No issues' |
| Ms Kelly, who has four children aged 11 or under, won Bolton West at the last election, in 2005, with a 2,064-vote majority. | Ms Kelly, who has four children aged 11 or under, won Bolton West at the last election, in 2005, with a 2,064-vote majority. |
| Councillor Cliff Morris, chairman of the Bolton West constituency Labour Party, paid tribute to the MP. | |
| "I've known Ruth from the start of her time as a Bolton West MP and it's been a pleasure to work with her," he said. | |
| "I'd like to thank her for all the hard work and effort she's made for the people of her constituency during the last 11 years." | |
| Ms Kelly became education secretary in 2004, before becoming communities secretary and then moving to Transport in 2007. | |
| Prior to her resignation as a 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. | Prior to her resignation as a 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. |
| After her decision to leave the government was revealed, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "There are no political issues between Ruth and me." | After her decision to leave the government was revealed, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "There are no political issues between Ruth and me." |
| Ms Kelly described the prime minister as a "towering figure". | Ms Kelly described the prime minister as a "towering figure". |