John Pugh
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| John Pugh MP | |
|---|---|
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| Member of Parliament for Southport |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 7 June 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Ronnie Fearn |
| Majority | 6,024 (13.8%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 June 1948 Liverpool, Lancashire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats |
| Spouse(s) | Annette Pugh[1] |
| Children | 3 daughters, 1 son |
| Alma mater | Durham University |
| Website | John Pugh MP |
John David Pugh (born 28 June 1948; Liverpool) is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. He is Member of Parliament (MP) for Southport. First elected in 2001[2] with a majority of 3,007, he was re-elected in 2005 with a slightly increased majority of 3,838, and again in 2010 with a majority of 6,024, or 13.8%.
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[edit] Early life
Pugh was educated at Prescot Grammar School and Maidstone Grammar School. He graduated from Durham University,[3] attending St Cuthbert's Society, where he studied Philosophy.[4]
[edit] Career
Formerly a religious studies teacher and Head of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby,[5] Pugh has lived in Southport since 1974.
[edit] Political career
Pugh joined the Liberal Party in 1977. Pugh served on Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, representing Birkdale, from 1987 until his election to Parliament. At the time of his election, Pugh was leader of the council (from 1992), and of the Sefton Liberal Democrats.[6]
In the 2007 leadership election, John Pugh supported Nick Clegg in preference to Chris Huhne.[7]
[edit] Campaign interests
Amongst Pugh's campaigning interests is public sector IT, specifically around the role Open Source Software might play. Pugh has argued that the public sector could reduce costs by increasing use of Open Source Software [8] and has accused the BBC of effectively giving Microsoft illegal state aid in only making their iPlayer download service available on Windows computers.[9]
Pugh has interests in mental health policy.[10] In October 2009, Pugh introduced a bill under the 10 minute rule calling for more local control over the NHS.[11]
Locally in Southport, Pugh is interested in saving local pubs, and also in the booze culture that affects the UK.[12] Pugh sees cheap alcohol deals in supermarkets as one of the major problems causing pub closures, and fuelling the booze culture.[13] He also took the fight for Local Post Offices to 10 Downing Street.[14]
Pugh is a keen supporter of the Amnesty International, with whom he is reported to have had close ties with the Formby & Southport Group over a number of years.[15]
[edit] Roles in parliament
- 2010- Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee for Health and Social Care
- 2008-10 Shadow Treasury Spokesperson [16]
- 2006-07 Shadow Health spokesperson
- 2005-06 Shadow Transport spokesperson,
- 2002-05 Shadow Ministerial Spokesman, Education
[edit] Personal life
He is married to Annette with three daughters and a son.[17] He moved to Southport in 1974.
Pugh's interests include philosophy, computers, weight-lifting and supporting Liverpool F.C..
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/110124/part2.htm
- ^ Liverpool Daily Post
- ^ politics.co.uk
- ^ "Polling Guide - Southport". UK Election Report. http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/southport. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
- ^ Merchant Taylors website.
- ^ John Pugh
- ^ "Opinion: John Pugh MP writes". Lib Dem Voice. 2007-10-07. http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-john-pugh-mp-writes-1651.html. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ "Debate on Government IT and Software Procurement". Hansard. http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2007-10-09b.46.0&s=section%3Adebates+section%3Awhall+section%3Alordsdebates+section%3Ani+speaker%3A11174#g48.2. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ "MP accuses BBC chief of illegally championing Microsoft". The Register. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/14/thompson_bbc_iplayer_pac/. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ They Work For You
- ^ [1]
- ^ Southport TV
- ^ Champion Newspaper
- ^ Southport Visitor
- ^ Southport Reporter
- ^ http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?id=uk.org.publicwhip/ PublicWhip
- ^ Liberal Democrat website also epolitix.com
[edit] External links
- John Pugh MP official constituency website
- Southport - Diary of John Pugh MP
- Profile at the Liberal Democrats
- Southport Lib Dems
- Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard 1803–2005
- Current session contributions in Parliament at Hansard
- Electoral history and profile at The Guardian
- Voting record at PublicWhip.org
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou.com
- Profile at Westminster Parliamentary Record
- Profile at BBC News Democracy Live
- Articles authored at Journalisted
- John Pugh MP at Open Rights Group
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ronnie Fearn |
Member of Parliament for Southport 2001–present |
Incumbent |
