Members of Parliament for Brentwood - Brentwood Weekly News

Member of Parliament for Brentwood and Ongar

Party

Committees

Water And Sanitation In The Third World Group, Local Government Group, Film Industry Group, Crossrail Group, Road Passenger Transport Group (associate Group), Jazz Appreciation Group, Lighting Group, Bosnia Group

Biography

MP Since - 1992 Majority - 11,612 Born - 20/04/1952, Married.

Education - Greenhead Grammar School Keighley, Leeds Polytechnic.

Previous Occupation - Consultant in Employment Practice; Local Government Editor to Conservative Newsline (1990-92).

Personal Overview - A mainstream Conservative member from a working-class Yorkshire upbringing, likely to have a fairly moderate attitude to European issues. In addition, having been a member of EURIM, he is likely to be fairly positive towards Information Technology issues. He has a great deal of Local Government experience, being the ex Leader of the Conservative's one time Flagship Council outside London (Bradford Council) (1988-90). He may also have a good knowledge of the workings of the Conservative Party, having been a Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party with responsibility for Local Government (1993-97). Normally facing a split opposition vote Pickles survived with reasonable alacrity the challenge of white-suited sleaze-buster Martin Bell at the 2001 election. On the pretext of alleged infiltration by an evangelical church of the local Conservative Party, Bell seemed to have missed the boat in not standing against Keith Vaz in Leicester East. His shadow roles and all party committee memberships indicate an interest in both Transport and Local Government issues in recent years. Achieved promotion in the June 2007 reshuffle into the Shadow Cabinet, whilst retaining his Local Government responsibility. Became Party Chairman at the January 2009 reshuffle, a potentially high profile appointment in the run up to a General Election.

Political History - Councillor, Bradford Council (1979-91), National Chairman Young Conservatives (1980-81). MP Brentwood & Ongar (1992-). Conservative Party Vice-Chairman (1993-97), Joint Vice Chairman of the Conservative Environment, Transport & the Regions Committee (1997-99), Treasurer of the Crossrail Group (2005-), Vice Chairman of the Local Government All Party Group (2005-). Member of the Environment, Transport & Regional Affairs Select Committee, Transport Sub-Committee (1997-98). Opposition Front Bench Spokesman for Social Security (1998-2001). Shadow Minister for Transport (2001-02). Shadow Secretary of State for Local Government & the Regions (2002-03), Shadow Secretary of State for Local Government (2003-05), Shadow Minister for Local Government (2005-07), Conservative Party Deputy Chairman (Local Government) (2005-07). Shadow Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government (2007-09). Conservative Party Chairman (2009-).

Characteristics - Active in the All Party Groups - Chairman, Film Industry All Party Group, Joint Treasurer, Motor All Party Group.

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