A good politician who sees the writing on the wall

Stunning news just out.

James Purnell who must have come very close to unseating Gordon Brown when he resigned from the Cabinet is standing down at the next election.

He will tell his Stalybridge and Hyde local party that with regret he is standing down to seek new challenges.

Considered a Blairite,this will be greeted as another sad conclusion to Gordon Brown's reign in power from a good politician who sees the writing on the wall.