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James Purnell to stand down as MP James Purnell to stand down as MP
(10 minutes later)
Former cabinet minister James Purnell has announced he will leave Parliament at the general election.Former cabinet minister James Purnell has announced he will leave Parliament at the general election.
The Stalybridge and Hyde MP said it was a "difficult decision", but added that he did not want to spend "all my life in frontline politics".The Stalybridge and Hyde MP said it was a "difficult decision", but added that he did not want to spend "all my life in frontline politics".
Mr Purnell is a critic of Gordon Brown who has previously called for the prime minister to resign.Mr Purnell is a critic of Gordon Brown who has previously called for the prime minister to resign.
He quit as work and pensions secretary last year after Labour's poor showing in local and European elections.He quit as work and pensions secretary last year after Labour's poor showing in local and European elections.
Mr Purnell, an Oxford-educated former aide to Tony Blair, previously served as culture secretary.Mr Purnell, an Oxford-educated former aide to Tony Blair, previously served as culture secretary.
'Huge privilege''Huge privilege'
An MP since 2001, he is the director of the centre-left think-tank Demos.An MP since 2001, he is the director of the centre-left think-tank Demos.
In a statement, Mr Purnell, 39, said: "I have been proud to represent the people of Stalybridge and Hyde. And this has been an extremely difficult decision to make. But I have decided that I no longer wish to be an MP.In a statement, Mr Purnell, 39, said: "I have been proud to represent the people of Stalybridge and Hyde. And this has been an extremely difficult decision to make. But I have decided that I no longer wish to be an MP.
He has achieved a great deal and he will be a hard act to follow Peter Robinson, Stalybridge and Hyde Labour Party
"I have spent all my working life in or about Westminster. And while this has been a huge privilege, I've realised I don't want to have spent all my life in frontline politics."I have spent all my working life in or about Westminster. And while this has been a huge privilege, I've realised I don't want to have spent all my life in frontline politics.
"I'm looking forward to completing my project at Demos. After that my hope is to contribute ideas to public service and to the Labour Party.""I'm looking forward to completing my project at Demos. After that my hope is to contribute ideas to public service and to the Labour Party."
Mr Purnell, seen as a rising star in the government, surprised Westminster when he quit as work and pensions secretary after polls closed for the local and European elections last May.
He called on Mr Brown to resign, saying his leadership of Labour made "a Conservative victory more, not less likely".
But Mr Purnell later said he hoped to be made to look a "complete idiot", with Labour winning the general election.
Peter Robinson, chairman of the Stalybridge and Hyde Constituency Labour Party, said: "Over the past nine years James has been an outstanding Member of Parliament, who has been instrumental in bringing many benefits to the people of Stalybridge and Hyde...Peter Robinson, chairman of the Stalybridge and Hyde Constituency Labour Party, said: "Over the past nine years James has been an outstanding Member of Parliament, who has been instrumental in bringing many benefits to the people of Stalybridge and Hyde...
"We understand completely the reasons for James' resignation and we wish him every success in the future."We understand completely the reasons for James' resignation and we wish him every success in the future.
"His commitment and determination have been greatly valued by members of the local Labour Party, as well as in the wider constituency."His commitment and determination have been greatly valued by members of the local Labour Party, as well as in the wider constituency.
"He has achieved a great deal and he will be a hard act to follow.""He has achieved a great deal and he will be a hard act to follow."