Sure, Finnegan has been publicly flirting with the idea of retirement for some years now, but today the six term representative and party whip made it official in an exclusive interview with Jules Vasquez. Here's how he put it:...

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"I believe in the old Methodist philosophy: do all the best you can, for all the people you can, for as long as you can. And I think, and I want to believe that I have reached the end of my road as far as electoral politics is concerned and I will not be defending my seat in the Mesopotamia division."

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"Explain the consideration, the physical circumstances, the entire lay of everything in your life that has brought you up to this point, because you have been in politics from the 60's."

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"1965."

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"How do you reach this point? What considerations bring you to this point where you say: I'm walking away?"

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"I don't have the physical capacity anymore and I don't have the mental capacity anymore, I must know when you have reached your point when you have seen enough and you must know when to leave and when to say goodbye. Most importantly I will miss the people of Mesopotamia division most importantly I will miss them tremendously, they have given me their love and I have given to them my soul."

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"Have you contemplated the consequences or what happens on the aftermath of such a momentous decision?"

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"I will continue to work for the United Democratic Party, I will continue to serve the United Democratic Party but in terms of being the lead man, the point guard, I will join Julius crew and sit on the bench."

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"You are still the area representative will you seek to demit office, will you ask for a by-election, or will you stay on as the area representative and serve out your term as a lame duck representative?"

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"My intention is to serve out my time but I will work and will continue tinge to work on a daily basis for the people of Mesopotamia division like I do all the other time. When I feel that I cannot do that anymore I will call it quits earlier".

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"You had recently said that the UDP city council, for example, they can't win without the contribution from persons like yourself from Mesop, sista B in Queens square, Mr. Faber's machine, etc, will you be actively and acidulously working for and on behalf of the UDP in the next city council elections?"

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"Yes."

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"It ain't easy, I'm sure you know it's a lot of leg work."

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"Without a doubt."

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"Do you have a successor in mind? Because I am sure your party, which you so dearly love, would like to hold on to that very safe seat."

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"Yes, the prime minister's son as everybody knows is interested in contesting the seat and as far as I am concerned, I believe that is the direction that the UDP would want to go. But the division will be opened. Anybody that would want to come in to contest when there is convention will be free to do so."

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"Will you play favorites and say Shine Barrow, for example, Jamal you da mi nephew I will tell the voters I support Jamal."

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"To be honest I would want my nephew to win but as fair as I am and as fair minded that my party is, I believe that every UDP deserves to have a Crack at that pie if they so choose so."

And, since he is retiring at the top, we asked Finnegan to name his all time list, of best politician, best debater, and most honest. Here's who he rates:

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"Who is the best politician?"

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"Dean Russell Lindo and Said Wilbert Musa."

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"Now these are two men who squared off against each other in at least four elections."

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"Dem da the best I come cross."

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"What makes them the best?"

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"Their package is total. They have a total package with politics."

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"In the parliament, who is the best debater you've ever seen in the House of Representatives?"

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"Beside Dean Oliver Barrow, and if i may want to include myself in it, Said Wilbert Musa."

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"You think he was excellent in parliament?"

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"As far as I concerned, dem da the two best I ever come cross in my political career. Mr. Goldson was good also but the best is DOB and Said Wilbert Musa. He is ballsy, bought men are ballsy."

Jules Vasquez - reporter
"What is your observation of the quality of honesty I elected public life and who in your opinion personified that the best?"

Michael Finnegan - Area Rep, Mesopotamia
"Over the years George Price, Phillip Goldson, Manuel Esquivel and Dean Barrow."

Our interview with Finnegan was far ranging and we'll have part two on Monday night when he discusses his political heroes and role models.