MP blames work life balance for decision to quit
Conservative MP Chris Kelly is standing down because he was struggling to balance his work and personal life, he has told the Express & Star.
The Dudley South MP shocked his party by revealing he would leave the Commons after just one term and not defend the seat he won from Labour in 2010.
And he stressed he was still supportive of David Cameron, believing the Prime Minister was the only party leader that could deliver a referendum on the European Union.
However, he said the 'unpredictability' of business as an MP had meant he had not been able to see the people closest to him as often as he'd like.
And he revealed he did not want to see his own relationship fail the way he had seen others in Parliament go.
The 36-year-old, son of West Bromwich-based Keltruck lorry dealership owner Chris Kelly, would not discuss the details of his private life or his relationship, but has in the past been linked with Philippa Dorries, the daughter of backbench MP and I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here star Nadine Dorries.
Mr Kelly, who grew up in the Black Country and was educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School, said: "It's been a huge honour to be an MP for a seat in the Black Country - a place where I was born and brought up.
"Having the chance to vote in the Commons on issues I care about - such as our future relationship with the EU or tackling scrap metal theft - and represent the people of Dudley South in Parliament has been a huge privilege.
"However, I have found it increasingly difficult to find the right balance between my work and my personal and family life. The unpredictability of business in the Commons combined with driving back and forth between the West Midlands and London has meant that I haven't been able to see those close to me as often as I'd like.
"That's why I'm stepping down. I've seen too many friends' relationships fail in Parliament and I don't want the same thing to happen to me.
"My announcement was not linked to Douglas Carswell's. I like Douglas personally but I've been a Conservative for almost 20 years and will remain so.
"I'll be working hard to ensure the new Conservative candidate is elected the next MP for Dudley South in May 2015."
He declined to reveal his plans for after the election but said until next May he would be 'working hard' for constituents and that it would be 'business as usual'.
