'Tough' as ex-MEP leaves politics

Now 42, Eluned Morgan first became an MEP when she was 27

Former Labour MEP Eluned Morgan says it was a tough decision not to stand for the Welsh assembly and instead take a job promoting low carbon energy.

But at 42 she says the time is right to gain more experience outside politics working for an energy company.

She has often been tipped as a successor in the Cardiff West seat of First Minister Rhodri Morgan - and possibly for his job at the top too.

But while ruling out 2011, she says she is keeping an open mind beyond that.

Ms Morgan was first elected to the European Parliament when she was 27, when she was the youngest MEP.

I wanted to broaden my experience and now is the time to be doing that Eluned Morgan

She announced last year that she was standing down at the election in June 2009, and there has been speculation that she would turn her attention to the assembly in Cardiff.

But she has now accepted a job as head of low carbon business development in Wales with Scottish and Southern Energy, which owns Swalec, the supplier of electricity and gas to many homes in Wales and England.

Ms Morgan said the question had always been whether she would be going for the Cardiff West assembly role.

But she added: "What this means is clearly I'm not going to be standing for the seat.

'Personal decision'

"It's been quite difficult, but it's a very personal decision.

"I started off in politics when I was 27 and I've got very little experience outside politics. I wanted to broaden my experience and now is the time to be doing that. I'm excited by it."

On the future beyond the 2011 election, she said she did not rule anything in or out for the long term.

Ms Morgan said politics would also be "really tough in lots of ways" in the next few years.

There was much opposition to politicians in general, she said.

"Which is not pleasant if you are a politician - however, some are guilty and deserve a good slapping, but the key thing to remember is that the majority of politicians give a whole amount of energy and effort and forego a lot in their personal life".

She also said that amid a difficult economic climate she wanted to contribute something positive in her new role, for which she had developed a "passion".

The new job, which she will take up in January, will be based in Wales. Another key aspect is her home life, with her children aged eight and six.

"I'd like to put my children to bed more often than before," she said.