Paul Holmes (Chesterfield MP)
Paul Robert Holmes (born 16 January 1957) is a politician in the United Kingdom. He was the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Chesterfield, previously held by Tony Benn, from 2001 to 2010.
Paul Holmes | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the Liberal Democrats | |
| In office 5 May 2005 – 6 May 2010 | |
| Leader | Charles Kennedy Menzies Campbell Nick Clegg |
| Preceded by | Matthew Taylor |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Member of Parliament for Chesterfield | |
| In office 8 June 2001 – 12 April 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Tony Benn |
| Succeeded by | Toby Perkins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 January 1957 Sheffield, England |
| Political party | Social Democrats (Before 1988) Liberal Democrats (1988–present) |
| Spouse | Raelene |
| Children | 2 daughters 1 son |
| Alma mater | University of York University of Sheffield |
| Website | Official website |
Early life edit
He grew up in Sheffield on a council estate. He went to Prince Edward Primary School, Manor Top, then Firth Park Secondary School (now Firth Park Community Arts College), a comprehensive from 1969 (when he was 12).
Career edit
Holmes graduated in History from the University of York in 1978[1] and before being elected an MP, was a history teacher for 22 years. He gained a PGCE from the University of Sheffield. He taught from 1979–84 at Chesterfield School (now Brookfield Community School[2]), then Buxton College from 1984–90, and from 1990–2001 he was Head of Sixth Form at Buxton Community School (the successor to Buxton College).
Political career edit
Holmes joined the SDP in 1983. From 1987–95, representing the Liberal Democrats, he was a councillor for Brimington South Ward, then from 1999–2003 for Walton ward on Chesterfield Borough Council. Holmes is currently the lead councillor for the opposition on Chesterfield Borough Council and is a councillor for Barrow Hill and New Whittington ward.
Parliamentary career edit
His election as chairman of the parliamentary party in 2005 was a surprise to many, since it came at the expense of incumbent chairman Matthew Taylor (a close friend of then Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy). Commentators attributed the result to dissatisfaction with some elements of Kennedy's leadership and a belief amongst MPs that the role of party chairman should be more that of a backbenchers' 'shop steward' and less under the influence of the leadership.
Holmes, not yet an MP, supported Simon Hughes in the leadership election following Paddy Ashdown's retirement in 1999. At the 2005 party conference, he voted against plans by the leadership to support capping the European Union budget at 1% of GDP and to privatise the post office (and was on the winning side in both votes). However, he publicly declared himself to be in full support of Kennedy's leadership following rumours that Hughes was planning a leadership challenge.[3] In the leadership election caused by the resignation of Charles Kennedy, Paul Holmes took on the role of chair to Simon Hughes' leadership campaign
Holmes was a member of the House of Commons Education & Skills Select Committee from 2001–2007, but stood down from the Committee in July 2007 to concentrate on his appointment as Shadow Minister for Housing. Previously Holmes had been a Spokesman on Disability (2001–2005), Work and Pensions (2002–2005) and Arts and Heritage (2006–2007). In December 2007 he returned to the back benches, being one of only two MPs in the party to lose their shadow cabinet responsibilities in the reshuffle following Nick Clegg's election as Liberal Democrat leader.[4]
Holmes hit the headlines in March 2008 when he was the only Liberal Democrat MP to sign an Early Day Motion praising Fidel Castro at the time of his resignation. He was quoted on the BBC as saying "It is true Cuba has political prisoners and no free elections, but it has very good dentistry."[5]
Holmes was the Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Justice[6] and sat on the Children, Families and Schools Select Committee.[7]
Holmes is a founding member of the centre-left Beveridge Group within the Liberal Democrats.[8] He is also an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society and a Distinguished Supporter of Humanists UK, and was also a vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, before his defeat in the 2010 general election.[9]
Personal life edit
In 1978 he married Raelene Palmer. His children were born and brought up in Chesterfield.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ . www.york.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
- ^ "Examination of Witnesses (Questions 960 – 979)", Q967, Education and Skills Committee Evidence, House of Commons, 8 December 2003 (parliament.uk)
- ^ Matthew Tempest in Blackpool (21 September 2005). "The Guardian". London: Politics.guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
- ^ O'Donoghue, Gary (20 December 2007). "What to make of Clegg reshuffle?". BBC News. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ "BBC News Magazine Monitor". Bbc.co.uk. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
- ^ . Paulholmes.org.uk. 3 September 2009. Archived from the original on 6 November 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
- ^ . Parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 4 April 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
- ^ About us 5 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine – The Beveridge Group 28 October 2007
- ^ . Archived from the original on 3 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
External links edit
- Paul Holmes MP official site
- profile at the site of Liberal Democrats
- ePolitix.com – Paul Holmes
- Guardian Unlimited Politics – Ask Aristotle: Paul Holmes MP
- TheyWorkForYou.com – Paul Holmes MP
- The Public Whip – Paul Holmes MP voting record
- BBC News – Paul Holmes profile 10 February 2005
- BBC News – New Lib Dem chairman Interview of Paul Holmes 14 July 2005