Members of Parliament for London - Smallholder

Member of Parliament for North Southwark and Bermondsey

Party

Committees

Modernisation Committee, Legal And Constitutional Affairs Group, Christians In Parliament Group, Sustainable Housing Group, Men's Health Group, Race And Community Group, Uk Sikhs Group, Panjabis In Britain Group, Youth Affairs Group, Suicide Prevention Group, Study Group For Construction, Chinese In Britain Group, Thameslink Route Group, Abolition Of The Death Penalty Group, Irish In Britain Group, Looked After Children And Care Leavers (associate Group), Friends Of Islam Group, Conflict Issues Group, Crossrail Group, Debt, Aid And Trade Group, Non Profit Making Members' Clubs, Poverty Group, Tamils Group, Credit Unions Group, British-argentine Group, British-armenian Group, Britain-bangladesh Group, British-central American Group, Colombia Group, British-cyprus Group, British-finnish Group, Ghana Group, Gibraltar Group, Hungary Group, Kashmir Group, British-latin America Group, Mexico Group, Sri Lanka Group, Ukraine Group

Biography

MP Since - 1983 Majority - 5,406 Born - 17/05/1951, Single.

Education - Llandaff Cathedral School Cardiff, Christ College Brecon. Selwyn College Cambridge. Inns of Court School of Law. Post Graduate College of Europe - Bruges.

Previous Occupation - Commission of European Communities - Brussels and Council of Europe (Strasbourg) (1975-77). Barrister London (1978).

Personal Overview - Tends to the left in the Liberal Democrats, elected as the youngest Opposition MP in 1983, and a founder member of the Liberal Democrats in 1988. He has representations on parliamentary All Party Groups (particularly religious groups, e.g. Vice Chairman Christian Fellowship All Party Group). He appears determined to fight for causes that he believes in, for instance Human Rights, or trying to save Guy's Hospital in his constituency. He has been an anti nuclear campaigner and has a strong interest in environmental issues. He has held a wide range of posts for his party, and has interests in Education. He has also led a team of Lib/Dem MPs looking at Urban and Community Affairs covering Education, Housing, Community Relations, Local Government and Urban Policy. He lost the 1999 leadership election to Charles Kennedy after Paddy Ashdown's decision to stand down, but retained a senior Liberal Democrat post. Was selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the London Mayoral elections in 2004. Entered the leadership race to succeed Charles Kennedy in January 2005, becoming the favorite to replace him. He faced a tricky political and personal test, when during the leadership campaign he admitted that he had previously had relationships with both men and women. It is likely that his personal disclosure may have harmed his chances in the party leadership campaign in which he was ultimately unsuccessful.

Political History - MP Southwark & Bermondsey (1983-97), MP Southwark North & Bermondsey (1997-). Liberal Environment Spokesman (1983-88), Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Health (1988), London (1988-97), Deputy Chief Whip (1989-99), Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Education, Science & Training (1988-89), Church of England (1988-97), Member, Accommodation & Works Select Committee (1992-97), Environment & Natural Resources (1992-94), Urban Affairs & Young People (1994-7), Health Spokesman (1995-99), Home & Legal Affairs (1999-2003), London (2003-04). Party President (2004-) (also covering Shadow Attorney General role) (2004-07). Shadow Secretary of State for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2005). Shadow Attorney General (2005-7), Shadow Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs (2006-07). Shadow Leader of the House of Commons (2007-09). Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (2009-). Member of the Modernisation Select Committee (2007-).

Characteristics - A very active MP, who is religious and motivated by educational issues. Known for introducing a Bill to require the Queen to pay income tax. Is likely to oppose abortion and euthanasia. Is an Honorary Fellow of the South Bank University (1994). President of the Southwark Chamber of Commerce.

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