MARGARET Thatcher announced on June 28, 1991, that she was giving up her seat in the House of Commons at the next general election.

The former prime minister, who had held her Finchley seat for more than 30 years, said she intended to remain in politics and wanted to go to the House of Lords.

Mrs Thatcher's announcement came seven months after she was ousted from Number 10 by Conservative Party colleagues.

"Making this decision now as far as national politics is concerned makes it quite clear that I have no desire or expectation to go back into Number 10," she said.

She said her decision to leave the Commons would give her more freedom to speak her mind, and made it clear she would fight any European integration that would threaten British sovereignty.

But she was careful to pledge her loyalty to Prime Minister John Major and his government.

Mrs Thatcher insisted there was no lingering bitterness over her departure from Downing Street, and said: "I had the marvellous privilege of being there for 11½, nearly 12 years. "That's nearly half as long again as any American president can be president of the United States."

Labour leader Neil Kinnock described Mrs Thatcher's decision to step down as "one of her wiser judgements".

Predicting a Labour victory at the next general election, he said the former prime minister was leaving the Commons because "she doesn't want to face losing her seat or at best going on the opposition benches".

Mr Major said Mrs Thatcher's departure would be a sad loss.