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Hazel Blears to stand down as Labour MP at 2015 general election Hazel Blears to stand down as Labour MP at 2015 general election
(about 2 hours later)
Hazel Blears, one of the strongest supporters of Tony Blair in government, is to stand down as an MP at the next general election after 18 years in parliament.Hazel Blears, one of the strongest supporters of Tony Blair in government, is to stand down as an MP at the next general election after 18 years in parliament.
Ed Miliband led the tributes to Blears who served as Labour chair in the last year of Blair's government and who served as communities secretary for the first two years of Gordon Brown's government. Ed Miliband led the tributes to Blears, who was Labour chair in the last year of Blair's government and communities secretary for the first two years of Gordon Brown's government.
The Labour leader tweeted: "Hazel Blears has been a brilliant MP. Always fighting for those in most need. Parliament will miss her."The Labour leader tweeted: "Hazel Blears has been a brilliant MP. Always fighting for those in most need. Parliament will miss her."
Blears, 57, who was first elected MP for Salford and Eccles in Labour's 1997 landslide, took great pride in being a plain speaker firmly rooted in the centre ground. She is among a number of supporters of Blair who believe that Miliband has mistakenly vacated this territory by moving to the left. Blears, 57, who was first elected MP for Salford and Eccles in Labour's 1997 landslide, took great pride in being a plain speaker firmly rooted in the centre ground. She is among several Blair supporters who believe that Miliband has mistakenly vacated this territory by moving to the left.
Blears first made her name as public health minister between 2001-02, a role in which she promoted the government's 5-a-day campaign to persuade people to eat more vegetables and fruit. But it was as police minister between 2003-06 that Blears impressed Blair as a candidate for cabinet. Her reward came in 2006 when she was appointed Labour chair. Blears first made her name as public health minister between 2001-02, a role in which she promoted the government's 5-a-day campaign to persuade people to eat more vegetables and fruit. But it was as police minister between 2003-06 that Blears impressed Blair as a candidate for cabinet. Her reward came in 2006 when she was appointed Labour chair.
Brown promoted Blears to the role of communities secretary when he entered No 10 in June 2007. But Blears upset many in the Labour party when she resigned from the cabinet on the eve of the 2009 European parliamentary elections.Brown promoted Blears to the role of communities secretary when he entered No 10 in June 2007. But Blears upset many in the Labour party when she resigned from the cabinet on the eve of the 2009 European parliamentary elections.
Many Blairites were deeply uneasy with Brown at the time and James Purnell resigned as work and pensions secretary when polls closed that year. But Blears had been damaged by the disclosure that she had not paid capital gains tax on the sale of a flat which she had designated previously as her second home. Brown criticised her conduct and Blears, who denied breaking any rules, paid back £13,332. Many Blairites were deeply uneasy with Brown at the time and James Purnell resigned as work and pensions secretary when polls closed that year. But Blears had been damaged by the disclosure that she had not paid capital gains tax on the sale of a flat which she had designated previously as her second home. Brown criticised her conduct and Blears, who denied breaking any rules, paid back £13,332. In her statement announcing her plans to stand down as MP for Salford, Blears said: "I have been driven throughout my time as MP by a desire to improve people's lives and ensure that Salford gets its fair share of resources and investment.
In her statement announcing her plans to stand down as MP for Salford, Blears said: "I have been driven throughout my time as MP by a desire to improve people's lives and ensure that Salford gets its fair share of resources and investment.
"No one person has a magic wand with which to do this, but I have worked hard alongside some fantastic leaders, organisations and residents and I feel that together we have really made a difference."No one person has a magic wand with which to do this, but I have worked hard alongside some fantastic leaders, organisations and residents and I feel that together we have really made a difference.
"When I look around me now and think back to 1997 I can honestly say I am proud that our city is in a much better place now than it was back then."When I look around me now and think back to 1997 I can honestly say I am proud that our city is in a much better place now than it was back then.
"Of course, we still face significant challenges, and the government's cuts are really hurting some people."Of course, we still face significant challenges, and the government's cuts are really hurting some people.
"But I am confident that whoever takes on the fight can keep this seat for Labour next year and help to continue to steer us through these difficult times to a bright future.""But I am confident that whoever takes on the fight can keep this seat for Labour next year and help to continue to steer us through these difficult times to a bright future."