Members of Parliament for Burnham-on-sea - Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News

Member of Parliament for Wells

Party

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee, European Scrutiny Committee, Science And Technology In Agriculture Group, British Museum Group, Nuclear Energy Group, Astronomy Group, Population Development And Reproductive Health Group, Sea Cadets Group, Boxing Group, British-turkish Parliamentary Group

Biography

MP Since - 1983 Majority - 3,040 Born - 21/03/1949 (2 sons, 1 daughter)

Education - Eton College, Oxford University.

Previous Occupation - Chartered Accountant (Qualified 1974), Farmer, Assistant Finance Director, British Technology Group (1980-83). Also worked for Price WaterHouse & Co. and British Electric Traction Co Ltd.

Personal Overview - Comes from a traditional Conservative background and has experience of farming and business. He was a Conservative Spokesman for just under 10 years, and successfully managed to transfer his career from Government into Opposition, until being removed from the Shadow Cabinet in 2001, briefly regained an Opposition Portfolio in 2005, but he now seems destined to remain on the back benches.

Political History - Member for Wells (1983-), PPS to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1985-87), to Rt. Hon. Douglas Hurd, Home Secretary (1987-88), Assistant Government Whip (1988-89), Government Whip (1989). Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Environment (1989-90), Department of Energy (1990-92), Member, Broadcasting Select Committee, Finance Select Committee (1992-93), Deputy Chief Whip (1992-93), Minister of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office (1993-94), Paymaster General (1994-96), Opposition Spokesman, Treasury (1997-2000). Shadow Secretary of State for Trade & Industry (2000-01). Member of the European Scrutiny Select Committee (2003-), member of the Treasury Select Committee (2004-05). Opposition Front Bench Spokesman for Work & Pensions and Welfare Reform (2005). Member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee (2005-).

Characteristics - His parliamentary experience could be of use in Opposition.

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