John Reid to quit MP role at next election

Saturday, 15 September 2007 12:00 AM

Former home secretary John Reid has announced his intention to stand down as an MP at the next general election.

Mr Reid broke the news that his 20-year spell at Westminster was coming to an end to a meeting of his Airdrie and Shotts constituency party on Friday night.

The 60-year-old has occupied nine different ministerial roles culminating in his appointment as home secretary, a position he held for just over a year before stepping aside in June's cabinet reshuffle.

"I am delighted that the renewal of Labour's fortunes now means that there is a very real prospect of a fourth term Labour government," he said in a letter to party members.

"Under these circumstances, I believe this is now an appropriate time for me to indicate my intention to stand down as an MP at the next general election.

"I remain enormously grateful for your continuing support, confidence and advice but it is now time to move on."

Mr Reid, whose prospects of a return to the front bench are slim after he positioned himself alongside Tony Blair as the Labour leadership struggle with current prime minister Gordon Brown reached a peak at the beginning of this year, vowed to continue supporting the party "in any way I can".

The exact date of Mr Reid's departure will depend upon Mr Brown's timing of the next general election, with June 2009 most observers' best guess at present.

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