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In her own words... How Kirkbridge stood down and Cameron's reply
28 May 2009This is the text of Bromsgrove MP Julie Kirkbride's letter to Tory leader David Cameron announcing her intention to quit at the next election, and Mr Cameron's reply:
"Today I am announcing that I will not seek re-election for my Bromsgrove constituency.
"My principal concern has to be for my very loyal local supporters in Bromsgrove whose trust in me has been very humbling in the last few weeks.
"I also want to see the Conservative Party have a great result in next week's elections which will lead to a real change at the general election and you as our prime minister. I also must take into account the effects on my family.
"I truly understand people's anger about MPs' expenses, but I have been subject to a barrage of distorted press stories which I have sought to rebut.
"As you said yesterday, I gave a good account of myself. But the fact that I am still defending myself and my family two weeks after Andrew stepped down as your adviser has now become an unbearable pressure.
"Today stories were published and broadcast which stated that I had built a bedroom at taxpayers' expense for my brother. The truth is that I did so with the approval of the Fees Office for whoever was caring for my son.
"This pressure on my loyal party workers and me has to end. I would like to thank all those who have stood by me from the bottom of my heart. I realise they will feel let down by my decision and I bitterly regret that. I have had the happiest and most fulfilling 12 years of my life in Bromsgrove. I shall miss them all terribly."
Mr Cameron replied:
"Thank you for being so frank and candid about your decision to stand down at the coming election. I know this was a very hard decision for you to take, but I completely understand why you have decided to do so.
"You have been under enormous pressure in the last two weeks. Sometimes the focus of the public spotlight can be unbearably intense, as you described graphically to me on the phone this morning. I understand that the pressure has now become more than you can bear.
"You have struggled hard to balance your roles of mother and Member of Parliament, and spoken eloquently of how difficult it is to combine the two. As you said to me this morning, your first instinct must now be to protect the well-being of your family - especially of your son.
"In terms of your own case, you have given full answers to the questions that have been put to you, and you have given a good account of yourself.
"You step down in the knowledge that you have been an incredibly hard-working and committed Member of Parliament, and that your achievements cannot be taken away from you. You have always fought for the people of Bromsgrove with great spirit, and I know that very many of them are extremely grateful for the work you have done for them for the last twelve years.
"Don't let this cast a shadow over your achievements. You should be extremely proud of what you have done - including as shadow culture secretary, and on the Select Committee for Business and Enterprise.
"Since your student days you've been a valiant fighter for the Conservative Party. Though today must seem a very dark day, I know that you have so much to offer in the future.
"The public are rightly angry at what has happened over MPs' expenses. If we are to rebuild trust in politics, it is essential that there is thorough and urgent reform. But it is also extremely important that part of that reform should include better ways of enabling women to combine the roles of politician and mother.
"I hope that you and Andrew will, in the coming months, be able to start the process of re-building your lives."
Reader views (4)
And what about the people who work in the FEES OFFICE? hate to think what they've been up to!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Valerie Brockwell, belluno italy, 28/05/2009 22:41
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Dislike the nature of Cameron's reply.No doubt the two crooks will still be part of his inner circle.Trust Cameron realises that the she & her husband should never be public servants again as they can never be trusted.
Does she realise she is not the only working mother in the UK?
Both are leaving at the next election...tell us their severance pay and pensions.
- P Doff, audierne france, 28/05/2009 16:10
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It will be interesting to see whether they can earn as much as they were extracting in their supposedly public service!!!
- Gordon, LONDON, 28/05/2009 14:56
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I hope they check her handbag before she leaves. She and her hsusband seem to have pinched everything else that wasn't actually nailed down. WHY NO PROSECUTIONS?
- Lezli, London / ENGLAND, 28/05/2009 14:37
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