Tom Greatrex
| Tom Greatrex | |
|---|---|
| Shadow Minister for Energy | |
| In office 8 October 2011 – 8 May 2015 |
|
| Leader | Ed Miliband |
| Member of Parliament for Rutherglen and Hamilton West |
|
| In office 6 May 2010 – 30 March 2015 |
|
| Preceded by | Tommy McAvoy |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Ferrier |
| Majority | 21,002 (44.7%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 September 1974 Ashford, Kent, England[1] |
| Political party | Labour Co-operative |
| Spouse(s) | Laura Orrock |
| Children | two |
| Alma mater | London School of Economics |
| Website | tomgreatrex.org |
Thomas James Greatrex[2] (born 30 September 1974) is a British Labour Co-operative politician, who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Rutherglen and Hamilton West between 2010[3] and 2015 and the Shadow Energy Minister since 2011.
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Early life
Greatrex was born in Ashford, Kent. Brought up in Tunbridge Wells, he attended The Judd School between 1986 and 1993, before studying Economics, Government and Law at the London School of Economics, graduating in 1996.
He lives in Cambuslang and is married, with twin daughters.[1]
Career
Greatrex worked as a researcher to Opposition Chief Whip Donald Dewar, prior to the 1997 General Election, remaining in the role after Nick Brown took over as Chief Whip, later moving with him to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 1998. He left this role in 1999 to work as a GMB Union official for five years. He moved to Scotland in 2004 to take on a role as a chief officer at East Dunbartonshire Council[4] then worked as Director of Corporate Affairs for NHS 24 between 2006 and 2007. He latterly worked as a policy adviser for Scottish Secretaries Douglas Alexander, Des Browne and Jim Murphy.[5]
Political career
Selected as the Scottish Labour Party candidate for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, Greatrex was elected with a majority of 21,002 at the United Kingdom general election, 2010.[3]
He was the Shadow Under-Secretary of State for Scotland supporting Ann McKechin, Shadow Secretary State for Scotland until October 2011, when he was made Shadow Energy Minister.
As Shadow Energy Minister, Greatrex has criticised both sides of the debate over fracking, arguing that an "evidence-based" approach is needed and that whilst shale gas will not solve energy shortages in future, there might be some role for fracking under "strict regulation".[6][7]
He lost his Westminster seat to Margaret Ferrier of the Scottish National Party in the year 2015.[8]
Political activities
Greatrex is a fierce and outspoken critic of the firm Atos, who conduct Work Capability Assessments of disabled people on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. On 17 May 2013, he gave an interview to the BBC about allegations made by a doctor employed by Atos that the tests are unfair and 'skewed against the claimant'.[9] In addition, he wrote in a letter to the Prime Minister that these were "serious and shocking allegations which must be urgently looked at".[10]
References
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- Official website
- Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Voting record at Public Whip
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament for Rutherglen & Hamilton West 2010–2015 |
Succeeded by Margaret Ferrier |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Who's Who. Ukwhoswho.com. Retrieved on 27 August 2011.
- ↑ House of Commons Hansard Debates for 20 May 2010 (pt 0001). Publications.parliament.uk (20 May 2010). Retrieved on 27 August 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Labour holds Rutherglen and Hamilton West, BBC News, 7 May 2010
- ↑ About Tom Greatrex. Votetomgreatrex.org.uk (11 March 2011). Retrieved on 27 August 2011.
- ↑ Labour members choose Greatrex to stand at election, Rutherglen Reformer, 24 March 2010
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- ↑ Rutherglen & Hamilton West - BBC
- ↑ BBC News interview with Tom Greatrex. 17 May 2013
- ↑ Atos Victims Group. Serious Allegations against Atos should be investigated. 20 May 2013
- Pages with reference errors
- Official website not in Wikidata
- Use British English from August 2011
- Use dmy dates from August 2011
- 1974 births
- Living people
- People educated at The Judd School
- Alumni of the London School of Economics
- People from Ashford, Kent
- English trade unionists
- Labour Co-operative MPs
- Politics of South Lanarkshire
- Scottish Labour Party MPs
- UK MPs 2010–15
