Richard Bacon (politician)
| Richard Bacon MP | |
|---|---|
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| Member of Parliament for South Norfolk |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 7 June 2001 |
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| Preceded by | John MacGregor |
| Majority | 10,940 (19.9%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 December 1962 Solihull, West Midlands, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse(s) | Victoria Panton |
| Alma mater | London School of Economics and Political Science |
Richard Michael Bacon (3 December 1962, Solihull) is a British Conservative Party politician and the Member of Parliament (MP) for the South Norfolk constituency.
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[edit] Early life
Bacon was educated at The King's School, Worcester and at the London School of Economics and Political Science, gaining a First in politics and economics. He was also executive editor of the student newspaper, The Beaver.
He worked variously in investment banking, financial journalism and public relations consultancy, before setting up his own business advising blue chip international companies on communications.
Bacon joined the Conservative Party in 1978. He contested the safe Labour seat of Vauxhall at the 1997 general election, finishing third.
[edit] Parliamentary career
Bacon was selected for the very safe Conservative seat of South Norfolk on the retirement of its veteran MP and former Cabinet Minister, John MacGregor. He won the seat at the 2001 general election, and was returned again at the 2005 general election with an increased majority.
Though he rarely rebels against the party line,[1] he was one of only 15 Conservative MPs to vote against the 2003 invasion of Iraq in March of that year. In May 2009 he was also one of the 15 MPs to sign the Motion of No Confidence in Speaker Martin [1].
He has also voted against the anti-terror laws, top-up fees, foundation hospitals, and the ban on fox hunting, and was one of the few Conservatives to support the Impeach Blair campaign. He is also sceptical about aspects of the climate change debate, having opposed plans to build new wind turbines in South Norfolk,[2] claiming the scheme was not viable for the area.
Bacon is a member of the Public Accounts Committee, and has taken a particular interest in the nature and causes of overspending, delays and failures with Government IT projects.
In February 2007 Bacon was alleged to be the politician with the highest expenditure on taxi and car hire during the previous year,[3] a claim which he disputed and referred to the National Audit Office.[4]
[edit] Deporting foreign prisoners
In April 2006 Bacon's questioning of Home Office officials concerning the fate of failed asylum seekers released from prison[5] led to a major embarrassment for the Labour administration in the run-up to the local elections the following month, and the dismissal of Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary.[6] However, Bacon was not actually himself in favour of the sacking of Clarke, a fellow Norfolk MP, declaring that he had always liked him, and that his questioning had been "business, not pleasure".[7]
In July 2006, Bacon was named "Backbencher of the Year" by his fellow MPs for the result of his efforts, and in November 2006, he won three more awards: "Parliamentarian of the Year" from the Spectator magazine, "Politician of the Year" from the Political Studies Association and "Outstanding Parliamentarian of the Year” from the ConservativeHome website.
[edit] Personal life
Bacon was married to Victoria Panton in 2006 at St Margaret's Church, Westminster, and has two children. He also has a sister, Fiona Bacon, a psychiatric social worker.
[edit] Expenses controversy
In February 2007 Bacon was alleged to be the politician with the highest expenditure on taxi and car hire during the previous year,[3] a claim which he disputed and referred to the National Audit Office.[4]
In May 2009, it was reported that Bacon used his Parliamentary expenses to claim £258 for two framed prints of Rome, £294.30 for nine cushions and £1,547.20 for curtains.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ The Public Whip - Richard Bacon MP - voting record
- ^ EDP24 - Campaigners oppose wind farm plans
- ^ a b BBC News - MPs reveal travel expense claims
- ^ a b BBC News - Doubts over MPs' expense claims
- ^ BBC News - MP dubs Home Office 'incompetent'
- ^ BBC News - Clarke is fired in Cabinet purge
- ^ EDP24 - Norfolk MP scoops political awards
- ^ Times Online - From 50p pot pourri to £44,000 for a flat
[edit] External links
- Richard Bacon MP official constituency website
- Richard Bacon MP Conservative Party profile
- South Norfolk Conservatives
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard 1803–2005
- 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
- Richard Bacon MP at Open Rights Group
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John MacGregor |
Member of Parliament for South Norfolk 2001–present |
Incumbent |
