THE long-term future of Ruth Kelly as a Bolton MP remained uncertain today — after she quit the Cabinet, but refused to say if she will stand at the next general election.

Ms Kelly, the Transport Secretary and MP for Bolton West, was given an ovation at Labour’s conference yesterday after confirming her intention to stand down from frontline politics to spend more time with her family.

She 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 — aged 11, 10, eight and five — to “take a step back” and put the youngsters first.

Speaking to The Bolton News following the conference bombshell, she said: “The past 15 years have been an amazing and, at times, humbling experience.

“Being a cabinet member and a mother to four children has not been easy and I have only been able to do it because of the fantastic support of my husband and my family.

“I think the children are quite excited at the prospect of me having more time with me.

“I know that if I do not make this decision now, it is something I will come to regret deeply.”

Ms Kelly spoke to Prime Minister Gordon Brown about her thoughts on leaving the cabinet in May. Yesterday, she dispelled rumours that her hand had been forced by an imminent reshuffle which may not have included her, adding: “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.

“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.

“I now look forward to serving my constituents in Bolton-west. It has been a privilege to do so for the last 11 years.”

Ms Kelly insisted she was confident that Labour “has the values, vision and determination to see this country through difficult times”. But she said the party “can and must do even better”.

She said: “This is the greatest of parties which has fundamentally changed Britain for the better since 1997.

“It has been the greatest honour of my life to be able to play a part in that.

“I am leaving the stage today but I will be with this great party all the way in the battle to keep improving our country. We can and we must do even better — and I will always be with you in our great mission.”

Later, Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman, paid tribute to Ms Kelly in her rallying end-of -conference speech.

“Thanks to you for all you've done,” she told her. “You've been a breath of fresh air in the cabinet, not just for what you did for transport, but what you did for schools, too.

“Our loss will be your family's gain. So best wishes to you.”

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