Menu
19/02/2010
Former Minister To Leave Commons
James Purnell, a former senior cabinet minister, is to step down as an MP.
Mr Purnell, who resigned as pensions secretary following Labour's substantial defeats in last year's local and European elections, said he did not want to spend "all my life in frontline politics".
He called for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to relinquish office in the wake of electoral losses across the country.
Today the Stalybridge and Hyde MP said his decision to leave parliament was "difficult".
The 39-year-old was first elected to the Commons in 2001. He will not seek re-election at the next General Election.
Mr Purnell was a close aide to former prime minister Tony Blair, eventually serving in his Cabinet as culture secretary.
In a statement released this morning, Mr Purnell 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.
"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."
Mr Purnell said he looks forward to completing projects as a director at centre-left think-tank at Demos.
"After that my hope is to contribute ideas to public service and to the Labour Party."
May's disastrous polls prompted Mr Purnell to leave the Cabinet, in an alleged plot to overthrow Mr Brown.
However, no other colleagues followed his lead.
He later retracted comments claiming Mr Brown staying in office would make a Tory General Election win "more, not less likely".
Mr Purnell said he hoped he would look like a "complete idiot" when Labour claimed victory at the polls.
Peter Robinson, chairman of the Stalybridge and Hyde Constituency Labour Party, said Mr Purnell had "achieved a great deal" and would be "a hard act to follow".
(PR/GK)
Mr Purnell, who resigned as pensions secretary following Labour's substantial defeats in last year's local and European elections, said he did not want to spend "all my life in frontline politics".
He called for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to relinquish office in the wake of electoral losses across the country.
Today the Stalybridge and Hyde MP said his decision to leave parliament was "difficult".
The 39-year-old was first elected to the Commons in 2001. He will not seek re-election at the next General Election.
Mr Purnell was a close aide to former prime minister Tony Blair, eventually serving in his Cabinet as culture secretary.
In a statement released this morning, Mr Purnell 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.
"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."
Mr Purnell said he looks forward to completing projects as a director at centre-left think-tank at Demos.
"After that my hope is to contribute ideas to public service and to the Labour Party."
May's disastrous polls prompted Mr Purnell to leave the Cabinet, in an alleged plot to overthrow Mr Brown.
However, no other colleagues followed his lead.
He later retracted comments claiming Mr Brown staying in office would make a Tory General Election win "more, not less likely".
Mr Purnell said he hoped he would look like a "complete idiot" when Labour claimed victory at the polls.
Peter Robinson, chairman of the Stalybridge and Hyde Constituency Labour Party, said Mr Purnell had "achieved a great deal" and would be "a hard act to follow".
(PR/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 January 2009
'Golden Hellos' To Get Unemployed Back To Work
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced plans for employers to receive a "golden hello" of £2,500 for every unemployed person they recruit. The new emergency package of intensive support, will see people who have been unemployed for more than six months, receiving more personal support to find work.
'Golden Hellos' To Get Unemployed Back To Work
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced plans for employers to receive a "golden hello" of £2,500 for every unemployed person they recruit. The new emergency package of intensive support, will see people who have been unemployed for more than six months, receiving more personal support to find work.
28 August 2014
Shaun Wright Quits Labour Party Following Rotherham Report
Shaun Wright has resigned from the Labour party, amid increasing pressure following a report on abuse in Rotherham, where he managed children's services between 2005 and 2010. Mr Wright was under increased pressure in light of a report that said almost 1,400 children had been sexually exploited between 1997 and 2013.
Shaun Wright Quits Labour Party Following Rotherham Report
Shaun Wright has resigned from the Labour party, amid increasing pressure following a report on abuse in Rotherham, where he managed children's services between 2005 and 2010. Mr Wright was under increased pressure in light of a report that said almost 1,400 children had been sexually exploited between 1997 and 2013.
10 December 2008
'Fair' Benefit Reforms Announced
Plans to get one million people off the welfare system, and into the workplace, have been unveiled today and are being described as a "fair deal" by the Government. A White Paper, published by Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell, will create a system where "virtually everyone has to do something in return for their benefits".
'Fair' Benefit Reforms Announced
Plans to get one million people off the welfare system, and into the workplace, have been unveiled today and are being described as a "fair deal" by the Government. A White Paper, published by Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell, will create a system where "virtually everyone has to do something in return for their benefits".
17 January 2013
South Lambeth Residents Spend Night Away Following Helicopter Crash
Some 40 people have spent the night away from their homes following a helicopter crash in central London on Wednesday morning. The crash occurred in South Lambeth when a helicopter crashed into a crane killing both the pilot and a pedestrian. The crash spread debris across a wide area and onto rooftops, leaving a number of homes inaccessible.
South Lambeth Residents Spend Night Away Following Helicopter Crash
Some 40 people have spent the night away from their homes following a helicopter crash in central London on Wednesday morning. The crash occurred in South Lambeth when a helicopter crashed into a crane killing both the pilot and a pedestrian. The crash spread debris across a wide area and onto rooftops, leaving a number of homes inaccessible.
08 June 2011
Clarke's Early Guilty Plea Plan Scrapped
The Justice Secretary's sentence cut plan for early guilty pleas across England and Wales are now be scrapped. The news comes following Tuesday's meeting between the Prime Minister and Ken Clarke. Labour Leader, Ed Miliband urged David Cameron to give confirmation that plans had been "torn up" and described prison policy as a "total mess".
Clarke's Early Guilty Plea Plan Scrapped
The Justice Secretary's sentence cut plan for early guilty pleas across England and Wales are now be scrapped. The news comes following Tuesday's meeting between the Prime Minister and Ken Clarke. Labour Leader, Ed Miliband urged David Cameron to give confirmation that plans had been "torn up" and described prison policy as a "total mess".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
