Family prompts Lib Dem MP to quit capital seat

Published on Saturday 25 July 2009 19:28

A SCOTTISH Liberal Democrat MP has announced he will quit the House of Commons at the next general election.

John Barrett, the Edinburgh West MP, said he had enjoyed every moment of his time at Westminster but believed the time was right to stand down and spend more time with his family.

On his blog yesterday he said: "The decision to stand down was confirmed as being absolutely right when I landed in Edinburgh this morning only to hear that my grand-daughter is having to go into hospital for emergency surgery.

"I know that in a cynical age many might doubt my reasons but I know what matters in life and their views do not matter at all. This weekend I will be around for her."

Barrett had a majority of 13,600 over his nearest rival at the 2005 election – making it the second-safest seat for the Liberal Democrats in the country behind former leader Charles Kennedy's constituency. He met key members of the local party yesterday afternoon to inform them of his decision.

He said: "Serving the people of Edinburgh West at Parliament has been a great privilege and honour and I have enjoyed every moment.

"However, after over 25 years campaigning, I believe the time is right to stand down from Westminster."

He added: "I am absolutely not retiring – at 55 years of age, and while I am both fit and healthy I feel I have another challenge left in me.

"Another full term would take me to 60 when I feel it would be much harder to make a fresh start at something new."

Earlier this year, Barrett was caught up in the MPs expenses scandal when it was revealed he had accepted an 8,000 lump sum from a property company for giving up the right to cheap rent on a taxpayer-subsided flat he was living in London. He denied any wrongdoing, calling in the Commons Standards commissioner to give an independent ruling.

Barrett stepped down the day after a Labour MP "disillusioned with Parliament" also announced his decision to quit the Commons at the next election.

Andrew MacKinlay, 60, has told friends and constituency officials in Thurrock, Essex, of his decision, insiders said.

Tory blogger Iain Dale, who has known the MP since the early 1990s, said:

"It's got nothing to do with expenses but all to do with the fact that he is physically exhausted and, I think, very disillusioned with the way parliament is heading."