A YORK MP will stand down at the next election and bring his 22 year career in Parliament to an end.

Hugh Bayley, the Labour representative for York Central, will announce his decision to leave the post at the General Election in 2015, when he will be 63.

This comes after he announced his intentions to stand again in July last year, but only if he was chosen as his party's candidate.

His colourful career in the House of Commons has included a role as the deputy speaker in 2010, minister for Social Security and War Pensions in Tony Blair's government, chair of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, chair of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and IMF, and chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's UK Branch. 

Most recently he completed a two year term as president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

He said: "It has been a tremendous privilege to represent York in Parliament for 22 years, which is much longer than I expected when I was first elected in 1992.
 
"There is never a good time to stand down.

"I didn't want to announce my departure while doing the NATO job because I was pushing NATO to publish its accounts and audit reports, which they have now agreed, but they might have avoided the decision if they'd thought I was about to go.  But it is now agreed and I think it is time to pass the baton to someone else.
 
"My family have been tremendously supportive, and very tolerant about me working long hours, often seven days a week, but now I want to put them first."

Mr Bayley will continue to represent his constituents until the election, which is likely to be in May, and said he will be working with his successor to secure the seat for Labour.
 
He added: "It's too early to start thanking all the many people who have supported me over the years.  I haven't gone yet, and I will still give the job everything I've got over the next six months.  I've lots of unfinished business that I still want to do.

"And, of course, I'll be working closely with Labour's candidate for York Central to win the election in May."

Ed Miliband MP, leader of the Labour Party, added: "Hugh has been a fantastic Member of Parliament, serving the people of York for over 22 years, and serving as a government minister in the newly elected Labour government as social security minister.

“Parliament will miss his integrity and will be the weaker for the loss of his expertise on international development and international relations.

“I wish Hugh and his family all the best for the future and on behalf of the Labour Party I would like to thank him for his tireless dedication to social justice.”