Another AM decides to stand down

Irene James says she wants to make more time for her family and friends

Another member of the Welsh assembly has announced that she will not be standing at the 2011 election.

Irene James, the Labour AM for Islwyn since 2003, told her constituency party on Friday night that she will not be seeking re-election.

Mrs James said: "The time has come to make more time in my life for family and friends."

Former Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy paid tribute, saying the AM would be "sorely missed in Welsh politics".

In her statement Mrs James, who is in her late fifties, said she had worked for jobs in Islwyn, for investment in education and in health.

"It has been a pleasure to work with our Welsh Labour First Minister Rhodri Morgan and our great team of representatives in Welsh Labour. I remain fully in support of our work and will give my all until the election arrives in 2011.

Irene has been a first class AM. She has always put Islwyn first. Don Touhig, Islwyn MP

"I have been privileged to work for the people of Islwyn and I know that Welsh Labour has helped to deliver many improvements for the people we represent."

Mr Murphy, MP for Torfaen, said he had known Mrs James for a number of years, and had always been struck by her deep commitment to the people she represented.

He said: "Irene also has at her core another great attribute of a valley representative - a deep loyalty to the Labour Party and its values."

The MP for Islwyn, Don Touhig, said: "Irene has been a first class AM. She has always put Islwyn first. I pay tribute to her hard work and I am proud to have worked with her. I wish her well for the future."

A Welsh Labour spokesperson commented: "Irene James has made a valuable contribution to helping Welsh Labour build a better Wales.

"She has been a tremendous constituency AM and we know that she will continue this good work until the next election.

"We thank her for the work she has undertaken and we wish her well for the future."

Mrs James joins a growing list of AMs to announce their retirement at the next election, among them Local Government and Social Justice Minister Brian Gibbons and Environment MInister Jane Davidson.