Lord Foulkes to quit Holyrood

A HIGH-PROFILE Labour MSP is to quit Holyrood in favour of the House of Lords.

In an announcement yesterday Lord Foulkes said he would not be standing in next year's Scottish Parliament elections.

The Lothians MSP said: "I have made it clear my name is not to go forward even for an allegedly 'unwinnable' seat."

He now plans to focus his political efforts on his role in the House of Lords, stating: "I intend to join the growing group of Labour Peers who believe we must mount an even more robust campaign in the Lords against a ConDem coalition, which is increasingly arrogant and insensitive."

Lord Foulkes was elected to Holyrood in 2007. As well as being a life peer, he has also previously served as an MP.