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Ex-minister Howells standing down | Ex-minister Howells standing down |
(20 minutes later) | |
Former government minister Dr Kim Howells has announced he will step down at next year's general election. | Former government minister Dr Kim Howells has announced he will step down at next year's general election. |
The 63-year-old MP has held the Pontypridd seat for Labour since 1989. | The 63-year-old MP has held the Pontypridd seat for Labour since 1989. |
His ministerial career took in the departments of education, trade and industry, culture, media and sport, transport and the Foreign Office. | His ministerial career took in the departments of education, trade and industry, culture, media and sport, transport and the Foreign Office. |
After leaving government in a reshuffle last year he became chair of the Security and Intelligence Committee, overseeing the work of MI5 and MI6. | After leaving government in a reshuffle last year he became chair of the Security and Intelligence Committee, overseeing the work of MI5 and MI6. |
Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain said Mr Howells would be "hugely missed". | Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain said Mr Howells would be "hugely missed". |
He added: "He is a good friend who assisted me on a daily basis during my Neath by-election in 1991. | He added: "He is a good friend who assisted me on a daily basis during my Neath by-election in 1991. |
"He is an exceptionally talented and independently spirited Labour man. | "He is an exceptionally talented and independently spirited Labour man. |
"His departure will be a blow for the Labour group at Westminster, because his combination of a miner's background, intellectual rigour, and knowledge of Welsh and socialist history is virtually unique. I wish him and his family all the best for the future." | "His departure will be a blow for the Labour group at Westminster, because his combination of a miner's background, intellectual rigour, and knowledge of Welsh and socialist history is virtually unique. I wish him and his family all the best for the future." |
Garry Owen, chair of Welsh Labour, thanked Mr Howells for "all his work as the MP for Pontypridd and as a minister". | |
He added: "I am a close friend and I have worked as his election agent for what will be 21 years by next February. | He added: "I am a close friend and I have worked as his election agent for what will be 21 years by next February. |
"I know his great attributes and skills. | "I know his great attributes and skills. |
"He is also a political character who will be missed when he steps down from parliament next year." | "He is also a political character who will be missed when he steps down from parliament next year." |
Dr Howells won the Pontypridd seat in a by-election in February 1989. | Dr Howells won the Pontypridd seat in a by-election in February 1989. |
Previously he had worked as a TV presenter and journalist and before that was a leading figure in the 1984 miners' strike in south Wales, as a NUM official, although an opponent of Arthur Scargill. | Previously he had worked as a TV presenter and journalist and before that was a leading figure in the 1984 miners' strike in south Wales, as a NUM official, although an opponent of Arthur Scargill. |
Idea of hell | Idea of hell |
Dr Howells won a majority of 13,191 over the Liberal Democrats at the 2005 election. | Dr Howells won a majority of 13,191 over the Liberal Democrats at the 2005 election. |
Last month, he called for a phased and planned withdrawal of British soldiers from Afghanistan. | Last month, he called for a phased and planned withdrawal of British soldiers from Afghanistan. |
"How long do we put up with brave young men and women dying and being injured in Afghanistan?" Mr Howells said. | "How long do we put up with brave young men and women dying and being injured in Afghanistan?" Mr Howells said. |
The former minister has been known for colourful and outspoken remarks. | The former minister has been known for colourful and outspoken remarks. |
The arts school graduate left a note after a visit to a Tate exhibition saying that British art was "lost" if that was the best it could produce. | The arts school graduate left a note after a visit to a Tate exhibition saying that British art was "lost" if that was the best it could produce. |
His note said: "The attempts at conceptualisation are particularly pathetic and symptomatic of a lack of conviction." | His note said: "The attempts at conceptualisation are particularly pathetic and symptomatic of a lack of conviction." |
And turning to the arts establishment in Wales, he once said it was in the grip of "constipated old wrinklies". | And turning to the arts establishment in Wales, he once said it was in the grip of "constipated old wrinklies". |
He also said in the Commons during a debate on music licences that Somerset folk music was his idea of hell, although he later said he was only being light-hearted during exchanges. | He also said in the Commons during a debate on music licences that Somerset folk music was his idea of hell, although he later said he was only being light-hearted during exchanges. |
Pontypridd's Welsh Assembly member, Environment Minister Jane Davidson, is also standing down at elections in 2011. | Pontypridd's Welsh Assembly member, Environment Minister Jane Davidson, is also standing down at elections in 2011. |