Streatham Labour MP Keith Hill has announced he will retire at the next general election, widely expected in 2009. By that date, Mr Hill will be sixty six years of age.

Explaining his decision, Keith Hill said:

“Doing the MP’s job properly is highly demanding as well as being immensely worthwhile. I am confident that I can continue to carry out my duties with my usual enthusiasm and energy over the next couple of years, and then it seems right that my successor should take up the task of winning Streatham for Labour at the next general election.”

Keith Hill gained the traditionally Conservative Streatham seat for Labour in 1992 and has been returned in three general elections since then.

A local resident, Mr Hill has earned the reputation of being a hard-working constituency MP. He has also held a succession of ministerial posts: as transport minister and minister for London, as the Government’s deputy chief whip, and as housing and planning minister. Since 2005 he has been Tony Blair’s parliamentary private secretary.

In 2005 Keith Hill held the Streatham seat for Labour with a majority of 7,466 votes.