Hazel Blears: I regret timing of my resignation

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The former communities secretary said she regretted "enormously" undermining Labour's vote in the Euro ballot, which slumped to 15 per cent. "I should have waited until after the election," she said. "The effect on the party is something I will live with for ever."

Her show of contrition came ahead of a meeting with angry activists in her Salford seat.

She faces a no-confidence vote and moves to deselect her as Labour's candidate, wrecking her political career. Local members were split into several factions, one of which wants her out.

Sounding shaken and on the verge of tears, Ms Blears also apologised for wearing a brooch with the slogan "rocking the boat" and for making a "hurtful" joke about the Prime Minister's appearances on YouTube.

"I've thought long and hard and I have a number of regrets," she told the Manchester Evening News. Poor judgment was to blame for her quitting the day before the elections.

She claimed not to have expected to create a political storm, even though most MPs assumed it was designed to weaken Gordon Brown's grip on power. "I genuinely thought I could go without it sparking off this huge firestorm," she said. "In hindsight that judgment was wrong."

A day later James Purnell quit and called for a change of leader, soon followed by Caroline Flint, another close friend. Ms Blears denied being in league with them. "There was no plot. I had no idea James was going," she said.

The ex-minister said she quit because of pressure over her expenses, partly blaming Mr Brown's comment that her conduct was "unacceptable".

The Pendlebury branch of the Labour Party voted on Wednesday to send a motion to the National Executive Committee calling on Ms Blears to be deselected as MP ahead of the next election.

A Labour source said Ms Blears's political future was "in the balance".