We really shouldn't be surprised that Alan Milburn has decided to stand down as MP at the next election.

And yet, I still got a shock when I got a call from his personal assistant this morning to tell me that he was in the process of telling local party officials.

I had taken my son and three team-mates to Stokesley for a tennis match when the call came. Alan was sorry that he hadn't been able to tell me but it was important protocol to inform the party first.

Disappointing but fair enough, I guess.

I'd spent much of the day with Alan last Sunday. A mutual friend of our wives was visiting from Australia and there was a get-together at my home.

Alan didn't mention anything about standing down but I sensed there was a rabbit away.

His wife Ruth is taking a career break from the health service and is doing an Open University degree in English literature.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Alan doesn't stand," I told my wife afterwards.

Let's face it, it's not a great time to be an MP - especially a Labour MP.

* MPs are the scorn of the country over expenses

* Lucrative second jobs are about to come under the spotlight next week (with Alan Milburn one of the top earners)

* Barring a miracle, Labour is not going to be elected for a fourth term

* And Darlington - a marginal seat before the present incumbent defeated Michael Fallon in 1992 - is in danger of being lost.

Why then would Alan Milburn, who rose to the heady heights of Health Secretary under Tony Blair, want to carry on?

I've just finished an interview with him from his home in Northumberland - I'm promised it's the only interview he'll be doing this weekend despite numerous requests.

We've talked about his reasons for standing down, what he considers to be his main achievements, and what he thinks of Labour's chances at the next election.

He also gives his answers to criticism over his outside earnings and his decision to live miles from the Darlington constituency.

The interview will be published in Monday's edition of The Northern Echo.