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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 MP Stalybridge and Hyde, Greater Manchester, said it was a "difficult decision", but he did not want to spend "all my life in frontline politics".
Mr Purnell quit as work and pensions secretary after last year's local and European elections, calling for Gordon Brown to resign as prime minister.Mr Purnell quit as work and pensions secretary after last year's local and European elections, calling for Gordon Brown to resign as prime minister.
A former aide to Tony Blair, he previously served as culture secretary.A former aide to Tony Blair, he previously served as culture secretary.
'Huge privilege''Huge privilege'
Mr Purnell, who has been an MP since 2001, is also the director of the centre-left think-tank Demos. Mr Purnell, who has been an MP since 2001, is also leading a project on the future of the Left for the think-tank Demos.
In a statement, the 39-year-old 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, the 39-year-old 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 PartyHe 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.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".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.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."
Mr Purnell was a researcher for Mr Blair from 1992 to 1994 and worked as head of corporate planning at the BBC from 1995 to 1997.Mr Purnell was a researcher for Mr Blair from 1992 to 1994 and worked as head of corporate planning at the BBC from 1995 to 1997.
The general election is expected to take place on 6 May.