Labour MP Alan Howarth to stand down
The Labour MP for Newport East, Alan Howarth, has said he will not be putting his name forward for re-election at the next general election.
The MP created history in 1995 when he crossed the floor of the House of Commons to the Labour side, after disagreeing with the then Conservative government’s “indifferent” policy toward the poor and public services.
The move was all the more surprising as Mr Howarth was once a member of the “No Turning Back Group” of right-wing Conservative MPs.
He was elected a Labour MP in 1997.
Mr Howarth served as the minister for employment and disabled people as well as holding the arts brief.
He is also a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee.
On Saturday, Mr Howarth announced he was giving up Westminster politics to spend more time with his family.
He said he had been “proud and happy” to represent Newport, where Labour enjoys a near 10,000 majority.
In a statement yesterday, he said: “I have taken the decision to stand down with very mixed feelings.
“I remember vividly and with deep gratitude the day the Newport East Labour Party chose me as candidate in 1997.
“I have been proud and happy since then to be MP for Newport East, working with the party and Labour’s other elected representatives, and I have greatly valued the kindness and friendship I have received from so many people in the constituency.
“I have also been proud and happy to have been a member of this Labour government and then to have supported it on the backbenches.
“However, by next summer I shall have been in the House of Commons for 22 years, and I just feel that is enough.
“I think it’s usually better to bow out earlier rather than later, and I would like to have more time for family and home.”
Mr Howarth was elected as a Conservative MP in 1983.
Separately, Archie Norman, former chief executive and chairman of Asda, has announced plans to quit politics at the next election after seven years as Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells.
The Conservatives hold a majority of nearly 10,000 in Tunbridge Wells.
