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Ruth Kelly, the Cabinet minister who this week announced her resignation, today issued a stark warning to New Labour of a fatal "drift to the Left".
In her first newspaper interview since her resignation became public on the final day of Labour's conference, Ms Kelly told the Standard: "The danger is very clear. The centre ground was forged for Labour by Blair and Brown in the run-up to 1997. Now there are people who see an opportunity to row back on that."
She said that the electoral consequences of such a shift would be "severe" and added: "We have to be bold and not ambiguous in taking the argument to our critics. It is really important that the Cabinet reaffirms the necessity of staying in the centre ground of British politics in the run-up to the election."
Looking relaxed in jeans and a T-shirt, Ms Kelly revealed that she had found the chaotic circumstances surrounding her retreat from Cabinet "frustrating".
"Yes, I had a personal emotional reaction to what happened," she said. "I have some doubts about the way it was handled. But it is better to have it all settled now."
The Prime Minister, she said, had accepted her decision to leave in May but asked her to remain in Cabinet until the reshuffle and she had agreed.
Asked whether she thought Mr Brown would seize the opportunity of reorganising his Cabinet next week to edge out more Blairite ministers, she said: "I hope that doesn't happen. I don't think he will."
But she praised the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, who Mr Brown's allies accuse of plotting a leadership challenge. "He is one of the great talents the Cabinet - a star of the future, a real asset and a good friend," she said. Mr Brown's supporters are likely to see Ms Kelly's lavish praise as a signal that potential rebels have not given up on a challenge to the Labour leader. Ms Kelly refused to rule out a contest before the next election. "It's impossible to say what is going to happen," she said.
But she said there was no immediate case for a leadership contest in the shortterm. "We have to be absolutely focused on alleviating the economic crisis. People would see anything else as a distraction right now."
With many on the Left of Labour calling for a move away from the centre ground response to the financial crisis, Ms Kelly said it was essential that the party remained "pro-aspiration, probusiness and pro-market".
She widened her attack on Labour figures seeking to use the financial turmoil to call for higher taxes and a clampdown on the City. "There are those in the party who want us to raise draconian regulation and restrict City bonuses. I don't agree," she said.
"Of course bonuses should not be for irresponsible short-term behaviour. But it's easy to have a knee-jerk reaction and as a party, we have to be very wary. If you go down that road, you can end up drawing the wrong policy conclusions."
Asked whether there was a split in ministerial ranks over the response to the crisis, she said: "There are all sorts of views, including in the Cabinet."
The former Transport Secretary is one of the senior ranks said to have had dissatisfaction with Mr Brown's leadership style and direction.
When asked whether there had been a political aspect to her decision to step down, she said: "Yes, there was a balance as there often is in life. But my prime concern was my family and a desire to see more of my children.
"I have missed seeing them a lot in being a minister for 10 years. At last I will be able to get home for their bedtime."
She said that her case did not prove that women with children could not thrive at the highest levels in politics: "It's not impossible. I'm sure others will continue to do it and do it extremely well. I have just made my choice.
A devout Roman Catholic, Miss Kelly had differed strongly with Mr Brown over the embryology Bill. "I think it is a conscience issue and there should have been a free vote," she said. "It is difficult to be a Christian in politics these days. The public debate has become more secular and believers are portrayed as being a bit odd. That doesn't reflect the reality in communities, where church-going and belief is considered normal."
Ms Kelly has been criticised for her stance by Labour feminists. "I'm a big supporter of women's opportunities and I have campaigned for maternity rights. But I'm not a single issue feminist. There are other considerations too."
Reader views (13)
A useless minister that has done little if anything in any of the posts she has been in and there have been a few. As for coming out with the biggest lie in politics as to why she is resigning its just typical of the calibre of ministers we have in the cabinet now. These people couldnt lie straight in bed. Not one of the cabinet cares one iota for the country just about hanging onto their jobs. If they did one or all would tell Brown the Clown he had to go for the sake of the country let alone party.
- Duncan Walker, Ex Peckham now Samui Thailand
It amazes me how positive I feel towards Ruth Kelly now that she has resigned (still drawing a handsome salary as a part time MP now that she is devoting time to her children).Perhaps I would warm to Brown if only he would resign but somehow I doubt it.
- C Adams, Pont l Abbé France.
Now that she's resigned, does that mean Labour is Ruthless?
- Adam, Harrow, UK
Drift to the left? They have been far left for many years now. Just goes to show you how out of touch with reality Labour really are.
- Brandon Thomas, London UK
Re; Melvyn Canvey Island
"But dont forget how tory ministers used a similar escuse but they were then found to be spending time with someone from another persons family."
What - Like Roger Cooke, Prescott and Blunkett??
Oh, that's right - they represented the Labour Party...Unfortunately that kind of behaviour was not restricted to the Conservatives - and no, I don't vote Tory...
- Paul G., London
Good on Ruth for speaking out for motherhood and apple pie; tends to be pushed to the sidelines in this overtly feminist age. There's a place for being a working girl and being in the limelight; but theres also a place for taking time out and focusing on family. Ruth is lucky enough to have found the right balance. She's also absolutely right to warn that Labour must not drift to far to the Left.
- Dhanraj, basildon, essex
Here's one Ruth I bet Brown now wishes he had fixed earlier!
I am surprised that she can use this excuse and still remain a full time M.P. But dont forget how tory ministers used a similar escuse but they were then found to be spending time with someone from another persons family.
- Melvyn, Canvey Island, Essex
As Ruth Kelly has no politics or passion - which is very nu-Labour. There are very few left-wingers still in the Party and even at our strength we never made any inroads - hence the birth of nu-Labour - still new apparantly after 14 years. Ruth like many nu-Labour clones has no grasp of politics or history - an ideal candidate for Web Cam.
- Linda , South London, Brockley
Have you ever heard of the saying, "rat jumps off a sinking ship"?
- Miss Thorpe, london
The great thing about Ruth Kelly is that she is a feminist without being a lemming. Wife, mother and MP she is her own woman and has nothing to prove.
- Mara, Highgate
Yes, yes, whatever. Off you pop now dear and get the tatties on before your husband gets home.
- Jilly, London
Ruth Kelly for leader. I am surprised that no one in the media has even suggested that she just might be the best candidate to lead the labour party. She hasn't expressed an interest in the job? This interview is practically a declaration of intent.
- Blackstone Coke, London
New Labour are more right wing than Thatcher's Tories.
- Ted, London
