WITH HIS 50th birthday looming Hilton Dawson MP has taken stock and decided to bow out of national politics.

The Lancaster and Wyre MP announced this week he will not seek re-selection as the Labour candidate at the next General Election.

Instead Hilton and his wife Sue, who have lived in the area for 25 years, want to return to their native North-umberland where he hopes to play a part in regional government.

"I am 50 this month - it was a bit of a mid-life decision! I will be 52 by the time of the next election, and there are lots of things I still want to do, he told the Citizen.

"I think sometimes politicians are tempted to stay on too long. They perhaps need to move on and give way to someone with fresh ideas and a new approach."

But Hilton who was elected in 1997 assures: "There is a great deal more to do before I go. I will be working for regional government for the North West and for an elected assembly to be based in Lancaster."

He also vowed to work on improving employment and campaigning on com-munity issues such as traffic and transport.

During his time in office, Hilton has campaigned for Lancaster to be the North West regional capital if an elected regional assembly becomes reality.

Earlier this year he urged city councillors to back the idea of London-style congestion charges for Lancasters roads.

And, on the national scene, he voted against his government over the issue of war with Iraq without UN backing.

In a letter to the PM, he wrote: "Over Iraq, I think you are on the verge of making a colossal mistake.

"Please do not take our country to war without the backing of the United Nations... you will break the Party with the desertion of members and supporters."

As well as playing a part in regional government for the North East, Hilton hopes to be involved in introducing legislation for children with which he has been involved as an MP.

"One of the disadvantages of being an MP is you flit around from one issue to another. It is very difficult to specialise on particular areas and to follow things through to really make sure that change happens."