Alan Milburn to stand down as MP
Former health secretary Alan Milburn is to stand down as an MP at the next election.
The MP for Darlington, who left his post in the cabinet to spend more time with his family, has been criticised for taking on five other jobs alongside his parliamentary work.
Mr Milburn said in a statement: “I left frontline ministerial politics, and have not wished to return, because I wanted to have a different way of life.
“I have never regretted doing so. At the next election I will be in my early 50s.
“Standing down as an MP will give me the chance to balance my work and my family life with the time to pursue challenges other than politics.”
Mr Milburn added his announcement was timed to give the Darlington Labour Party time to choose another candidate before the next election.
But his decision to stand down also comes just before July 1st, when MPs will have to declare how much they earn from outside jobs.
Mr Milburn works for several firms in addition to his duties as MP, including Lloyds Pharmacy and PepsiCo.
