Members of Parliament for Darlington - Darlington and Stockton Times

Member of Parliament for Darlington

Party

Committees

Muscular Dystrophy Group

Biography

MP Since - 1992 Majority - 10,404 Born - 27/01/1958. Married, 2 sons.

Education - Stokesley Comprehensive School, Lancaster University, Newcastle University.

Previous Occupation - Coordinator of Trade Union Studies Information Unit at Newcastle (1984-90), Co-ordinator, Sunderland Shipyards Campaign (1988-89), Senior Business Development Officer for North Tyneside Council (1990-92).

Personal Overview - Has a public sector and Trade Union employment background, and is likely to have developed some campaigning skills. After spending several years on the Back Benches, he advanced to become a Labour Health Spokesman, joining the Government as a Health Minister. As a part of the general reorganisation following the resignation of Peter Mandelson, he was promoted to become Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and in the wake of Peter Mandelson's return in 1999 he was again promoted to the Department of Health. With age on his side and a rising national profile he has been an understandable choice for those speculating about the next Labour leader. However his resignation to literally 'spend more time with his young family' placed many of these thoughts onto the back burner, at least for a while. Returned to a senior election and manifesto planning role with Labour in September 2004 at the request of the Prime Minister. A leading Blairite party moderniser, his appointment to any senior party role is not said to be universally popular with the Chancellor Gordon Brown and his supporters. Courted further unpopularity with Gordon Brown by joining with former Minister Charles Clarke in launching a website, 2020vision.org.uk calling for a debate about the future of the Labour Party, seen by many as trying to make an impact on the 2007 Labour leadership election. In June 2009 he announced that he would be standing down at the next General Election.

Political History - MP Darlington (1992-). Chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party Treasury Committee (1992-95). Member of the Public Accounts Select Committee (1994-95). Opposition Health Spokesman (1995-96), Shadow Economic Secretary (1996-97), Minister of State at the Department of Health (1997-98), Chief Secretary to the Treasury (1998-99). Secretary of State for Health (1999-2003). Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (2004-05).

Characteristics - Member of Amnesty International, the United Nations Association, and the MSF. Member of the Labour NEC.

Information supplied by Goveval. Send feedback to info@goveval.com