KEETCH TO STAND DOWN AT NEXT GENERAL ELECTION

11.49.50pm GMT Fri 17th Nov 2006

Paul Keetch MP addressing Lib Dem Conference

Hereford's Liberal Democrat MP Paul Keetch has told local party members at its AGM that he intends to stand down as an MP at the next election. Mr Keetch was elected in 1997 and is on his third term as MP. Paul had informed close friends and family prior to the last election that, whatever the result, 2005 would be the last general election he would fight as candidate for Hereford. At the local AGM tonight some members wanted to start the process of reselecting Paul Keetch and it had become obvious that he should make his announcement at this time.

Sir Menzies Campbell, the Leader of the Party described Paul Keetch as "A House of Commons man and a huge asset to the Liberal Democrats".

"When I joined Hereford Young Liberals in 1975 at the tender age of 13 I made no secret of my desire to represent the city and county of my birth in Parliament," Mr Keetch told the meeting.

"You, the membership of my party, and hundreds of other volunteers over the years helped me achieve that ambition in 1997, and secure the seat again in 2001 and 2005. But, as some of you know, I have always wanted to do something after the House of Commons - to pursue another career whilst I am young enough to do so. I am therefore formally telling you tonight that I shall not seek nomination as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Hereford and will stand down as MP for Hereford at the next General Election."

Mr Keetch had informed Ming Campbell 12 months ago, when he was Deputy Leader of the Party, he intended to stand down. Commenting today on the announcement Sir Menzies said, "Representing his home county of Hereford since 1997, Paul has been a respected and effective parliamentarian as well as an active campaigner on local, national and international issues.

Paul with soldiers serving in the Middle-East

"During his time as Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesman Paul has consistently promoted the rights of members of the armed forces in Parliament. He has played a key role in the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs and defence team, not least in advancing the Liberal Democrat case against the war in Iraq. Since 2005 he has been a highly influential member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

"A House of Commons man and a huge asset to the Liberal Democrats I wish him every success in the future."

President of the Liberal Democrat Party, Simon Hughes MP, grew up in Herefordshire and has known Paul since the mid-1970s. Responding to the announcement Mr Hughes said, "From the time I first met him when he was a teenager, and until now, he has been one of the best advocates Hereford could possibly have had. Probably nobody knows the city and its surrounding areas better than Paul. It was a fantastic personal and collective achievement that under Paul's leadership the Party won back the seat in the great city of Hereford and county of Herefordshire which we had given up to the Conservatives so many years before."

Paul in Hereford, supporting the campaign for flood defences

Local Party President, Chris Green, who had fought the Hereford seat three times in the past, commented on the announcement by stating, "Having contested the Hereford Constituency myself three times, I probably know better than anyone what a remarkable effort it took for Paul Keetch to win here for the Lib Dems in the first place. Having gone on to hold the seat, against the odds, in two further fiercely fought campaigns, Paul has proved to the people of Herefordshire that neither he nor his Party are one night wonders.

"Paul has been a tireless campaigner and, after years and years of Tory neglect, helped to put Hereford back on the map. He has helped to build up endless strong and effective networks of local people across all areas of commercial, voluntary and social life and given a kick start to the process of renewal to what was a dying local economy.

""Whoever may succeed Paul at the next election will find that he is a hard act to follow. But Paul has laid very deep foundations, and I have every confidence that Liberal Democracy is here to stay in South Hereford."

Paul Keetch was born in Hereford in 1961, selected as the Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary candidate in 1993 and elected to Parliament in 1997 at the age of 35. He will be possibly 48 or 49 at the next General Election. He was re-elected in 2001 and 2005 and is the only Liberal to be elected three times to represent Hereford. He is the longest serving Liberal MP in Herefordshire's history.

"I want to thank all of you who helped me during my time as MP and all my constituents too," Mr Keetch said.

"My main task now is to continue to represent Hereford as best I can until the next election. I will work with whoever the local Party selects to succeed me to ensure Hereford returns another Liberal Democrat MP, and I will work with Ming Campbell as I have always done to further our Party nationally. Ming knows he has my full support.

"It has been a privilege to serve as a Member of Parliament, and a Party spokesman and now as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. I have been close to some historic events. I have seen many things and been lucky to travel to some great places. But the bedrock of my work is, has always been, and will continue to be the people I represent. They are my bosses, my employer, and I will continue to serve them.

"The local party now has a great opportunity - to select a new candidate to carry the banner of Liberalism forward. The people of Herefordshire deserve nothing less."