Members of Parliament for Southampton - This is Hampshire

Member of Parliament for Southampton, Itchen

Party

Committees

Illegal Camping And Traveller Management Group, Lords And Commons Cricket Club Group (associate Group), Ports And Merchant Navy Group (associate Group), Overseas Development Group

Biography

MP Since - 1992 Majority - 9,302 Born - 15/07/1953, Divorced 1 son, 1 daughter, Partner, 1 son.

Education - Woodroffe Comprehensive School Lyme Regis. Southampton University.

Previous Occupation - Campaigner for Friends of the Earth (1977-79). Campaign Organiser 'War on Want' (1984-88). Author of several publications (on poverty, youth and reconstruction). Ex Consultant to voluntary organisations on lobbying (1988-92). Is the author of several publications.

Personal Overview - Comes from the left of the Labour Party, but has adapted his thinking in recent years to the satisfaction of the New Labour leadership. He has had local authority experience on Southampton City Council where he focused on directly community related issues (see History). Seems inclined towards a positive stance on European issues. Tends to be quite liberal on social issues, having interests in Health, Housing and Environment. Has advanced in Government, gaining the Welfare Reform responsibility in the 1998 Government reshuffle, and moved into the Department of Health following changes caused by the resignation of Peter Mandleson MP. Although initially with the difficult pensions portfolio (caught between then Social Security and Treasury) he then prospered in Government, partly through short tenures avoiding any mud sticking. Resigned as a Minister at the Home Office in March 2003 in protest at the Government's decision to go into conflict with Iraq without a second UN resolution. Was appointed the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee in the Summer of 2003. Made a surprising return to the Cabinet in 2007, covering the Innovation, Universities and Skills part of the revamped Education and Skills Department. Replaced Hazel Blears, who had resigned as the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government at the June 2009 reshuffle.

Political History - Cllr Hampshire County Council (1981-89). Cllr Southampton City Council (now Unitary) (1989-93, St Luke's Ward), Chairman, Housing Committee, and Community Action Committee. Member for Southampton Itchen (1992-). Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Pensions) (1997-98), Social Security Minister with responsibility for Welfare Reform (1998), Minister of State, Department of Health (1999-2001), Home Office (2001-03). Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee (2003-07), member of the Liaison Select Committee (2003-07). Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (2007-09). Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (2009-).

Characteristics - An ex issue campaigner, is locally aware with Local Government experience.

Member of Parliament for Southampton, Test

Party

Committees

Energy And Climate Change Committee, Justice Committee, Standards & Privileges Committee, Peak Oil Group, Renewable Transport Fuels Group, Balanced And Sustainable Communities Group, Packaging Manufacturing Industry Group, Ports And Merchant Navy Group (associate Group), Intelligent Energy Group, Thames Estuary Airport Group, Infrastructure Group, Road Passenger Transport Group (associate Group), Freight Transport Group, Weight Watchers Group, Climate Change Group, Sustainable Resource Group (associate Group), Renewable And Sustainable Energy Group (associate Group), Estonia Group, Poland Group, West Papua Group

Biography

MP Since - 1997 Majority - 7,018 Born - 15/09/1950. Married, 1 son & 1 daughter. Education - Isleworth Grammar School, Southampton University.

Previous Occupation - Director, Outset (1979-83), Deputy (1976-79); Director, BIIT (1983-92); Professor of public policy, Southampton Institute (1992-97).

Personal Overview - Locally based, he has challenged for this seat since 1983. The local experience mainly derives from long term service on the local council (Southampton BC Council Leader 1984-92). He had a role in the redevelopment of Southampton City Centre (with a particular interest in the Mayflower Theatre), and was involved in attempts to improve transport in the City by undertaking a strategic overview of provision. As well as having worked in the Education system, he has also been a Governor at Cantell School (Southampton). He also appears to have a long standing interest in Environmental issues (former member of Socialist Environment and Resources Association (SERA), Greenpeace, and Southampton sustainable City Initiative). His short lived initial ministerial appointment may have surprised those able to recall his leftwing past, which included at the 1983 Labour Party Conference the denunciation of Dennis Healey's efforts to forge a mainstream party as unwarranted 'electoralism'. Antagonistic towards the Liberal Democrats, whom he views as opportunistic jackals, he is consequently a tactical proponent of First Past the Post.

Political History - Councillor Southampton Borough Council (1980-92), Council Leader (1984-92). Parliamentary Candidate, Southampton Test (1983, 1987 & 1992). MP Southampton Test (1997-). Member of the Environment, Transport & Regional Affairs Select Committee, Environment Sub-Committee (1997-99). PPS to David Blunkett, Secretary of State for Education & Employment (1999-2000). PPS to Baroness Blackstone, Minister for Education & Employment (1999-2001). Parliamentary Under Secretary, Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (2001-02). Member of the Standards & Privileges Select Committee (2005-). Member of the Constitutional Affairs/Justice Select Committee (2007-). Member of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee (2009-).

Characteristics - Locally experienced, likely to be educationally and environmentally conscious. Member of UNISON.

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