Former Secretary of State to stand down
Former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain has announced he is to stand down as an MP at next year’s general election.
The Labour MP said he had “decided to draw stumps” on his Commons career following a series of discussions with party leader Ed Milliband.
The Neath representative was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland between 2005 and 2007, describing the role “as the best job he had”.
Mr Hain had been reselected to fight the 2015 election for Neath in Wales but said he would now find “new ways” to be involved in politics.
He said: “I have been in politics for some 50 years, 23 of those in the House.
“Whilst it is my firm intention to remain active in politics, I have decided that it is time to find new ways to represent the new progressive politics to which I and Ed Miliband are committed. It’s time for a change.
Labour leader, Ed Miliband praised Mr Hain for his integrity, wisdom and tireless work for the country and said he would be sorely missed.
