Sat in a traffic jam, I am dismayed to hear that the Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree, Jane Kennedy, is standing down.

As a Minister, Jane fully understood the meaning of the words ‘cross party co-operation’ for the benefit of constituents.

A truly principled woman, kind in nature and thoroughly decent, I will be very sad to see her go. Far superior compared to many of her female colleagues in the Government, Jane was always willing to debate a political point both on and off the record.

I remember once during a committee being very exercised about the lack of facilities in hospitals for the laundering of nurses uniforms and the impact that had on MRSA. During a break in the proceedings, Jane walked with me and talked through the difficulties with regard to what I was proposing.

I was a new MP, she was a Minister and she took time to take me to one side and help me understand a complex Bill.

My family in Liverpool once needed her help. She didn’t know she was helping my cousin and uncle until the second time they saw her. When the case reached a conclusion my uncle said to me ‘good job your not standing here queen or we’d have a job who to vote for’.

I repeated the comment to Jane, who was completely bowled over to hear that her constituents hold her in such high esteem.

I have always been full of admiration and affection for Jane.

From a union background I am sure she will move back into that area of work as she surely recognises that is where the true power within Labour will lie in the future.

The news of her standing down is as sad to me as that of Paul Goodman on our side. The very best Parliament has are leaving. Who will be left?