Former British foreign secy Jack Straw to quit

Straw, 67, has been a legislator in Britain’s House of Commons for 34 years and also served as home secretary and justice secretary. But he is probably best known for his role as foreign secretary between 2001 and 2006 in the Labour government of Prime Minister Tony Blair and for backing the leader’s decision to go to war in Iraq.

Britain’s next general election is expected to take place in May 2015, beyond which Straw said he would not serve as a member of Parliament.

Straw on Friday said that while it would be a ‘terrible wrench’ to leave the House of Commons, he doesn’t want to ‘push his luck’ by being a lawmaker in his 70s.

He told constituents in the northwestern town of Blackburn that he decided to stand down after a great deal of thought and consultation.

‘Labour is part of my soul, and so is this town,’ he told constituents, insisting that his ‘love affair’ with Blackburn will not end after the next general election.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said Straw will be ‘sorely missed’ in the Commons, praising his service as foreign secretary in the aftermath of the 11 September 2011 terrorist attacks in the United States, and his loyalty and support to the party.

Straw worked briefly in journalism and law before taking a seat in Parliament in 1979. He occupied a variety of shadow Cabinet roles and was appointed home secretary in 1997, pushing Blair’s ‘tough on crime’ approach.