Mike was elected as Batley and Spen's
first Labour MP on May 1 1997. He was re-elected at
the general election in 2001 with an increased share
of the vote and again in 2005 with an increased majority.
Mike joined the Labour Party in 1966. His political interests include:
law and order, animal welfare, transport, employment, health and the
environment. He is a member of the Parliamentary groups on homelessness,
transport, Indo-British affairs, AIDS, animal welfare, MS, ME, disablement,
human rights, Kashmir and alcohol misuse. He is a member of the Socialist
Campaign Group of MPs.
Since 1997 Mike has taken issue with a number of Government policies – particularly
on benefit, human rights and civil liberties issues, the war on Iraq,
university top-up fees and foundation hospitals. This stubborn independence
is a trait with which local people seem to identify.
Mike is an executive member of the Penal Affairs Group, a patron of
the National Association of Market Authorities, a member of the Campaign
for State Education and the Working Class Movement Library and a friend
of Birzeit University.
From 1980 to 1988 he represented Cleckheaton, which was then his hometown,
as a councillor on Kirklees Council. During that time he was chair of
the housing committee and the social services committee and was deputy
leader of the council. He still maintains a keen interest in local government
and defending public services.
Locally, he is patron of the Family and Resource Centre in Batley, the
Fibromyalgia Support Group and Spen Valley Scouts Gangshow.
Mike trained as a probation officer and has a degree in history and
politics from Leeds Metropolitan University. Other than politics his
interests including reading, music, sport, ornithology and walking. He
was also the founder member of two workers' co-operatives.
Mike supports Liverpool FC and is vice president of Batley Bulldogs
Rugby League Club.
Mike lives in Batley with his wife Christine. He has two grown up children – David
and Madeleine – and two stepdaughters – Danielle and Rachael.
|
