Conwy MP Betty Williams to retire

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Labour Conwy MP Betty Williams has announced that she will step down at the next general election.

She revealed her decision to the local Labour Party at a meeting in Llanfairfechan on Wednesday night.

Mrs Williams, aged 64, was first elected in Labour's 1997 landslide victory under Tony Blair's leadership.

In a statement she said it was "now time to consider the future and a change in the balance of my workload and other activities".

"I have decided to announce my retirement now so that the Labour Party may choose a new candidate to contest the seat at the next general election," she said.

Mrs Williams said she was grateful for the support her constituents had given her since she first contested the seat in 1987, and that being the first woman to represent the area had been "a bonus".

She urged the government to concentrate on helping "the less well off and sick and disabled" who were struggling with heating and food bills.

Swipe

She paid tribute to Gordon Brown, saying there was "no one I would trust more to lead us through difficult times".

Mrs Williams also took a swipe at ex-ministers, such as Charles Clarke, who attacked the prime minister's performance.

"I have no respect for those, particularly former ministers, who criticise without constructive proposals," she said.

But she conceded that the government needed to "engage more closely with the concerns of our people and produce a programme to cushion the vulnerable through the difficulties ahead."

Her statement was issued as Mr Brown announced a package of measures to help people struggling with energy bills.