Long serving Labour MP Adam Ingram is standing down from his East Kilbride seat at the next General Election.
Mr Ingram, who has been an MP since 1987, was returned to Westminster at five successive General Elections.
He told his local party last night: "After 30 years in public life, I feel it is time to pass on my constituency responsibility to the next generation."
Mr Ingram's first big job in Government was as Minister of State for Security in Northern Ireland from 1997 to 2001 where he worked with Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam at the heart of the peace process.
He was appointed Armed Forces Minister in 2001 and when he stood down from that post in 2007, he had been the longest ever Minister in the Ministry of Defence.
Two years ago, he was asked by Gordon Brown to undertake an in-depth study into the defence department's contribution to counter- terrorism and resilience.
Earlier this year it emerged Mr Ingram had the highest declared outside earnings of any politician representing a Scottish constituency.
He topped up his MP's salary with around £170,000 from other posts.
Following the report of his earnings, Mr Ingram declined to comment on faked letters sent to his local newspaper in his support.
The East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow MP said last night he owed "everything to the Labour Party".
"From 1947 as one of the first generation to be born into the NHS; providing my education in the 1950s and 60s; in my work with the trade unions in the 1970s and 80s, and from entering public life in 1980.
"I am extremely grateful to the electorate for having enough confidence in me to have returned me as their MP in five successive General Elections."
Before going to Westminster, Mr Ingram was a local councillor and leader of East Kilbride District Council.
His successor is expected to be selected in the autumn.
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