Support 110 years of independent journalism.

  1. Politics
16 November 2009

Stephen Byers to quit parliament . . .

. . . but who cares?

By Mehdi Hasan

Stephen Byers, the former transport secretary and New Labour outrider, has announced he is to stand down as an MP at the next general election.

I can think of only two responses:

1) Who cares?

2) Good riddance.

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday - from the New Statesman. Sign up directly at saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. Sign up directly at morningcall.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team.
  • Administration / Office
  • Arts and Culture
  • Board Member
  • Business / Corporate Services
  • Client / Customer Services
  • Communications
  • Construction, Works, Engineering
  • Education, Curriculum and Teaching
  • Environment, Conservation and NRM
  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
  • Infrastructure Management - Transport, Utilities
  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
  • Librarians and Library Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • OH&S, Risk Management
  • Operations Management
  • Planning, Policy, Strategy
  • Printing, Design, Publishing, Web
  • Projects, Programs and Advisors
  • Property, Assets and Fleet Management
  • Public Relations and Media
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Quality Management
  • Science and Technical Research and Development
  • Security and Law Enforcement
  • Service Delivery
  • Sport and Recreation
  • Travel, Accommodation, Tourism
  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Oh, wait . . .

Content from our partners
Strengthening the UK's clinical trial ecosystem
Strengthening the UK’s clinical trial ecosystem
Simon Newton
Ageing well with technology
Ageing well with technology
Spotlight
"Homesharing helps us get a better work-life balance"
“Homesharing helps us get a better work-life balance”
Gill Gradden

3) Can anyone name a single thing that Stephen Byers has done, either as a backbencher or as a minister, to improve British public life?

 

Sign up to the New Statesman newsletter and receive weekly updates from the team.