Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Andrew Miller is to stand down at the next election.

He has served the area since 1992 after winning the seat from the Tories.

His majority over the Conservatives in the 2010 general election was 4,331.

The MP, chairman of the House of Commons science and technology committee, reveals he reached his decision ‘after a lot of thought’.

“It has been an enormous privilege to represent Ellesmere Port and Neston since 1992 as well as serving the Labour Party in that role so it has been a tough decision to take,” said Mr Miller.

“Over the next couple of months the Labour Party will start the process of democratically selecting a candidate to stand in Ellesmere Port and Neston and I will work with that person to help them get to know the many people and organisations that have made my tenure so enjoyable. 

“I thank those people from the bottom of my heart for their friendship and support through the good times and through rocky waters.

“The great delight with hindsight is that list is simply too long to name.”

In Parliament, the MP has served under five Labour leaders, Neil Kinnock, John Smith, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown ‘and of course Ed Miliband who I am confident will become the next Prime Minister’.

He believes Labour is changing ‘reflecting the world in which we now live, but there are some constants’.

“It is 50 years since Harold Wilson’s ‘white heat of technology’ speech and five years later I joined the Labour Party in 1968,” he said.

“I want to continue to work on the big science issues that I see as crucial to both the UK and our local economy, particularly in trying to grow the science base in projects like the exciting development at the Thornton Research Centre, which I believe creates a wonderful opportunity for us.

“The many tasks I have undertaken range from working with political parties in Hungary and Malta around their accession to the EU through to being the first Select Committee chair to do a role reversal with young scientists who quizzed me.

“I am proud of being part of some legislative changes like the minimum wage and many other steps taken by Labour, including having taken a lead in the changes that were designed to help agency workers.

“I am also proud of a plaque in Westminster Hall, not because it has my name on it but that of Nelson Mandela.

“It did however take 10 years to persuade the Parliamentary authorities to place it where the great man stood!”

Mr Miller continued:“‘Locally, I hope I have been a service to my constituents both individually and collectively.

“Individual casework can range from a single letter through to global campaigns for justice and I have been involved in many that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“Collectively, helping to secure the future of Vauxhall, the Thornton project or helping to create the Pension Protection Fund following the collapse of HH Robertsons have all been significant.

“I want particularly to say a big thank you to the people who have worked for me, both lay members of the party and my staff and especially to my family for making this extraordinary period of my life possible.”