ANOTHER East Anglian MP is standing down at the next election.

Graham Dines

ANOTHER East Anglian MP is standing down at the next election. David Howarth, who has only been in the Commons since 2005, said he wanted to concentrate on his work as an academic but would continue to play a role in shaping party policy.

He was elected for Cambridge, defeating Labour's Ann Campbell on a 15% swing. He is one of the few MPs to emerged from the expenses row which hit Westminster earlier this year, Mr Howarth emerged unscathed from the furore having claimed no second home cash at all.

“It has been a privilege to serve the people of Cambridge, both in local government and in Parliament, “ said Mr Howarth. “I will continue enthusiastically to support the Liberal Democrats and Nick Clegg, and I wish the party all success in the future.”

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said: “David will be sorely missed. His colleagues here in Westminster - across all parties - recognise him as a politician of huge integrity and intellectual ability.

“The Liberal Democrats have benefited greatly from the powerful lead in Parliament he gave on a number of touchstone liberal issues such as climate change and the right to protest.

“As the leader of Cambridge City Council and a key member of our Federal Policy Committee before being elected an MP, David has a long history of helping to shape the party's policy making.”