JENNY TONGE TO RETIRE

11.44.00am GMT Mon 10th Mar 2003

Liberal Democrat MP Dr Jenny Tonge has decided not to stand for re-election at the next General Election.

Dr Tonge, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for International Development will be retiring from politics to spend more time with her husband Keith, children and grandchildren.

She has served as MP for Richmond Park since 1997, and has been an active Liberal Democrat and previously Liberal Party member since 1959.

Speaking about her decision to retire, Dr Tonge said: "The last few years have been the most exciting of my life. I love being an MP. But I now want to spend more time with my husband and family."

"My husband and I are both 65 and have an ever expanding family of grandchildren. My husband, to whom I have been married for nearly 40 years, retires in 2005 and I have decided to do the same.

"We are looking forward to spending more time together, perhaps doing a bit of writing, and some medical work abroad."

"I have worked for 32 years as a doctor in the NHS, ten years as a local councillor and the last ten years as a parliamentary candidate and M.P. It has been a busy life."

"In the meantime, there are still two maybe three years to go until the next General Election. I would like to assure my constituents, who have been so good to me, that I will work as hard as ever to represent them in Parliament, and continue to champion their interests."

"ENDS"

"For further information please contact Jenny Tonge on pager number 07699 734071 or Serena Hennessy on: 0208332 7919"

"Notes for Editors"

"1. Jenny Tonge was born in 1941, and educated at Dudley Girls High School and University College London. During her career, she was Head of Women's Services for Ealing Health Authority, London Youth Advisory Service Medical Officer, and Community Services Manager in Southall."

"2. Dr Tonge joined the Liberal Party in 1959, became a regular election campaigner, and Chair of Richmond and Barnes Liberal Party in 1978."

"3. She was elected Liberal Councillor for Kew Ward in the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames In 1981. She first stood for election as an MP in 1992 for Richmond and Barnes losing by less than 3,000 votes."

"4. In 1997, she was back, this time contesting the re-named constituency of Richmond Park and won with a majority of 2, 951. Jenny was re-elected in June 2001 with an increased majority of 4,964."

"5. Beyond International Development and Third World issues, her main political interests are Health, the Environment, Europe and Constitutional Reform. Jenny passionately believes that MPs should be local people and has lived in her constituency for nearly 30 years.