Stephen Byers latest MP to stand down at next election

Nov 16 2009 by Rob Pattinson, The Journal

NORTH East MP and former Cabinet minister Stephen Byers has announced he will retire from politics at the next General Election.

The MP for North Tyneside became the latest in a string of Labour backbenchers to step down by stating his intention not to contest the constituency seat he has held for 17 years.

Instead, the prominent Blairite, an open critic of Gordon Brown’s premiership, plans to “pursue other interests and look to fresh challenges”.

Mr Byers, then the Transport Secretary, resigned from the Cabinet in 2002 in the wake of rows over his adviser Jo Moore’s suggestion that the September 11 terror attacks in 2001 made it “a good day to bury bad news”.

Announcing the end of his career as an MP he stated he had always strived to do his best for those he represented. He said: “By 2010 I will have held elected positions as an MP and councillor for 30 years. That’s over half my life and is a long time – especially in modern politics.

“For me this is the right moment to move on in order to pursue other interests and look to fresh challenges.

“I am proud to have served the people of North Tyneside as their MP since 1992. I have always tried to do my best for them. They are great people and I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to represent them in Parliament.

“It has been a privilege to have served as a Cabinet minister in a Labour Government. This is something I will always be grateful for.”

Mr Byers, 56, entered Parliament as MP for Wallsend in 1992 and switched to North Tyneside after boundary changes in 1997.

He had previously been elected to North Tyneside Council in 1980, rising to become deputy leader of the Labour-held council from 1985-92.

He served as Schools Minister after Labour won power in 1997, joining the Cabinet as Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 1998. He was promoted to Trade and Industry Secretary later that year, then became Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions after the 2001 election.

During the MPs expenses scandal earlier this year, leaked details of Mr Byers’ allowances showed he claimed £125,000 in second home expenses over five years for a flat wholly owned by his partner.

Recently he appeared as part of a high-profile group of Blairite ex-ministers, including Alan Milburn and Charles Clarke, who pushed for the Government to stick to New Labour policies.

Following Gordon Brown’s accession to the premiership Mr Byers openly discussed the prospect of challenges to his leadership.

His decision to stand down was made public at a meeting of the North Tyneside Labour Party on Saturday.

He said: “During my time as an MP, I have always been ready to argue for the policies I believe in.

“I know that at times some of my ideas have not been easy for Labour Party members in North Tyneside. Despite this they have always given me their full support. I want to take this opportunity to give them my sincere thanks.

“It is clear to me that only the Labour Party has the answers to the challenges we face as a country. In what will now be a different role, I shall do all I can to support the party in the months and years ahead.”

Mr Byers’ decision creates a vacancy in what should be a safe Labour seat. Mr Byers had a majority of 15,000 at the last general election.

Responding to the news North Tyneside Council Liberal Democrat group leader Coun Nigel Huscroft said: “The news is not unexpected, as North Tyneside can no longer be regarded as a safe Labour seat.”