Kelly: Why I'm quitting Cabinet

Sep 24 2008

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly was given an ovation at Labour's conference on Wednesday after confirming she was to stand down from the Cabinet to spend more time with her family.

Ms Kelly told delegates it was not a decision she had taken lightly and begged their understanding, as she explained that she owed it to her children to "take a step back" and put them first. "If I do not, then I know that this is something I will come to regret deeply," she added.

Ms Kelly said: "As you may have heard on the news this morning this will be my last time addressing you as a member of the Cabinet. I told Gordon before the summer of my decision to leave the Government for family reasons at the next reshuffle.

"This was not a decision I took lightly. I was still in my 20s as Labour was given the honour of leading the country. All my children were born under a Labour Government.

"The past 15 years have been an amazing and, at times, humbling experience.

"But I have been particularly proud as a minister at the Treasury to be able to take through our proposals on the child trust fund; at education, to continue opening up school choice for parents; at communities, to have the opportunity to recast our policies on violent extremism and devolve more power to local government."

Ms Kelly said that as Transport Secretary she had been delighted that it was a Labour Government that secured the deal on Crossrail.

"It has also been a tremendous privilege to have worked with both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown - two towering figures in the Labour Party, Government and on the world stage.

"But as well as a front line politician, I am also proud to be a mother and a wife. To have been able to hold these jobs, I've relied on the support of my husband and my family.

"So I ask for your understanding when I say that I now owe it to my children and family to take a step back and start putting them first."