Former minister quits Parliament

Ms Kennedy quit as a government minister in June

Former government minister Jane Kennedy is to stand down as MP for Liverpool Wavertree at the general election.

In a statement, Ms Kennedy said she needed a "fresh challenge" after 18 years in parliament.

Ms Kennedy became an MP in 1992 and has served in a variety of senior ministerial positions in successive Labour governments.

But she quit as Environment Minister in June in a row over Gordon Brown's leadership of the party.

She piled pressure on the Prime Minister after becoming the eighth minister to quit in a week, following Labour's poor European election results.

In a letter to Party members in Wavertree, she said she had contemplated the decision for some time.

'Close election'

Ms Kennedy said the constituency needed a Labour candidate who could "bring the necessary enthusiasm and fresh leadership to our campaign".

"It [the decision] has been made after careful thought and reflection and is, I believe, in the best interests of the party that I have been proud to serve for the last 30 years.

"I am now absolutely confident that the Party will go on to win Wavertree in 2010," she added.

The MP also hinted that more than 10 years as a minister had taken its toll.

"This has often been challenging and rewarding, but also immensely draining and exhausting, both for me and my family," she said.

Colin Eldridge, Liberal Democrat candidate for Wavertree, paid tribute to his former opponent.

He said: "As a parliamentarian, she has consistently raised her concerns for issues she sees as important.

"Clearly, one of the major factors in her decision is the fact that it will be an extremely close election."