Stalybridge and Hyde MP will not stand at the next General Election

Date published: 22 February 2010

Stalybridge and Hyde MP James Purnell has announced he will not stand at the next General Election.

Mr Purnell, who was first elected to the Tameside seat in 2001, told Labour Party members about his decision.

Mr Purnell will continue to represent the constituency until the election. And he will continue as director of the Open Left project at the think-tank Demos.

Today, speaking in the constituency, he said: “I have today told the executive committee of my local Party that I do not wish to be the candidate for Stalybridge and Hyde at the next General Election.

“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.

“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 do want to thank all the people who voted for me in the last two elections, and especially the members of the local Labour Party, for all their support.

“I hope they are as proud as I am of what we’ve done together, not least the improvements to our schools and our hospital that are now on the way.”

During his time in government Mr Purnell has served as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

He spearheaded the Welfare Reform Bill, which aims to end poverty and to ensure people reach full potential through employment.

He has also been a keen supporter of the government’s plans for the expansion of SureStart Children’s Centres and the massive school rebuilding programme, Building Schools for the Future.

Commenting on the decision Cllr 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.

“James has proved to be a keen champion for Tameside. And he has played a major role in bringing initiatives such as Building Schools for the Future, Sure Start and the Future Jobs Fund to the area.

“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.

“He has achieved a great deal and he will be a hard act to follow.”