Ex-Cabinet minister Hazel Blears to step down as an MP

Salford and Eccles Labour MP Hazel Blears has announced she is to stand down at the next General Election.

She said it had been a privilege to serve the people of Salford for the last 18 years.

She spoke exclusively to Political Reporter Daniel Hewitt.

Salford and Eccles Labour MP Hazel Blears has announced she is to stand down at the next General Election.

In a statement she said she is stepping down after what will have been 18 years in the role with ‘a heavy heart’.

Mrs Blears said she wants to spend more time with her family, including her mum Dorothy, who has dementia, her dad Arthur, who is his wife’s main carer, and her husband Michael.

She informed her local constituency Labour Party of her decision at its monthly meeting this evening.

ITV News Granada Reports political reporter Daniel Hewitt is outside the meeting of Hazel Blears' local Labour party:

Read: Hazel Blears to step down as MP at next election

Hazel Blears has announced that she is standing down as Labour MP for Salford and Eccles at the next General Election.

She has represented the Salford constituency since 1997.