Phil Woolas: Difference between revisions
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==Parliamentary career== |
==Parliamentary career== |
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He first won the seat in the [[United Kingdom general election, 1997|1997 general election]], having contested the predecessor [[Littleborough and Saddleworth (UK Parliament constituency)|Littleborough and Saddleworth]] seat at [[Littleborough and Saddleworth by-election, 1995|a by-election in 1995]].<ref name="Woolas Bio"/> He became [[parliamentary private secretary]] to [[Gus Macdonald, Baron Macdonald of Tradeston|Lord Macdonald of Tradeston]], a Transport Minister in 1999, and became a [[whip (politics)|whip]] in 2001. |
He first won the seat in the [[United Kingdom general election, 1997|1997 general election]], having contested the predecessor [[Littleborough and Saddleworth (UK Parliament constituency)|Littleborough and Saddleworth]] seat at [[Littleborough and Saddleworth by-election, 1995|a by-election in 1995]].<ref name="Woolas Bio"/> He became [[parliamentary private secretary]] to [[Gus Macdonald, Baron Macdonald of Tradeston|Lord Macdonald of Tradeston]], a Transport Minister in 1999, and became a [[whip (politics)|whip]] in 2001. |
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In 2003 he was made Deputy [[Leader of the House of Commons]], and in 2005 moved to the ODPM to become Minister of State with responsibility for local government, later moving to the newly created [[Department for Communities and Local Government]] with the same responsibilities. During this time he acquired a reputation for evading any questions surrounding the failings of the [[Local Government Ombudsman]].<ref>[http://theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2005-10-19b.17720.h&s=%22Local+Government+Ombudsman%22 Deputy Prime Minister - Local Government Ombudsman Written answers from Phil Woolas] - Theyworkforyou.com. [[19 October]], [[2005]].</ref> |
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On the [[29 June]] [[2007]] he moved to his current job as Minister for the Environment at the [[Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]]. He has responsibility for climate change, energy and sustainable development.<ref name="Woolas Defra">{{cite web|url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/ministers/woolas.htm|publisher=defra.gov.uk|accessdate=2007-07-28|date=[[2007]]-[[07-04]]|title=Phil Woolas: Minister for the Environment}}</ref> |
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In October 2006 Woolas was involved in a debate involving the right of [[Aishah Azmi]], a Muslim teaching assistant, to wear an Islamic veil in class.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/6050392.stm Veil teacher 'should be sacked'] - [[BBC News]]. [[15 October]] [[2006]] In February 2008 he raised the question of inter cousin marriage as a cause of the high incidence of disability within predominantly pakistani and bangladeshi cultures. The debate was welcomed by Ann Cryer MP who cited incidences in her own constituency. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7237663.stm] |
In October 2006 Woolas was involved in a debate involving the right of [[Aishah Azmi]], a Muslim teaching assistant, to wear an Islamic veil in class.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/6050392.stm Veil teacher 'should be sacked'] - [[BBC News]]. [[15 October]] [[2006]] In February 2008 he raised the question of inter cousin marriage as a cause of the high incidence of disability within predominantly pakistani and bangladeshi cultures. The debate was welcomed by Ann Cryer MP who cited incidences in her own constituency. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7237663.stm] |
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Revision as of 10:49, 18 April 2008
Phil Woolas | |
|---|---|
| File:Phil Woolas MP 3.jpg | |
| Member of Parliament for Oldham East and Saddleworth | |
| Assumed office 1 May 1997 | |
| Preceded by | new constituency |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 December 1959 Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England |
| Political party | Labour |
| Children | Two sons |
| Residence | Lees, Greater Manchester |
| Website | www.philwoolas.co.uk |
Philip James Woolas, known as Phil Woolas, (born 11 December 1959[1] in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England[2]) is a politician in the United Kingdom. He is Labour member of Parliament for Oldham East and Saddleworth and is a Minister of State in the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Early life
He went to Nelson Grammar School on Oxford Road in Nelson, which became Walton (Lane) High School when the LEA went comprehensive in 1972. The school is now Pendle Vale College since 2006 when the former buildings were demolished and re-developed for housing. After O levels, he went to Nelson and Colne College. He received a BA in Philosophy from the University of Manchester.
Woolas joined the Labour party at the age of 16 and became involved in student politics through the Anti-Nazi League.[3] Before entering Parliament, Woolas was Head of Communications at the GMB trade union (1991-7) and previously a television producer for the BBC (on Newsnight) from 1988-90 and ITN (Channel 4 News) from 1990-1.[4] From 1984-6 he was President of the National Union of Students.[2][4]
Parliamentary career
He first won the seat in the 1997 general election, having contested the predecessor Littleborough and Saddleworth seat at a by-election in 1995.[2] He became parliamentary private secretary to Lord Macdonald of Tradeston, a Transport Minister in 1999, and became a whip in 2001.
In 2003 he was made Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, and in 2005 moved to the ODPM to become Minister of State with responsibility for local government, later moving to the newly created Department for Communities and Local Government with the same responsibilities. During this time he acquired a reputation for evading any questions surrounding the failings of the Local Government Ombudsman.[5]
On the 29 June 2007 he moved to his current job as Minister for the Environment at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. He has responsibility for climate change, energy and sustainable development.[4]
In October 2006 Woolas was involved in a debate involving the right of Aishah Azmi, a Muslim teaching assistant, to wear an Islamic veil in class.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). He is married (June 1988)with two sons (born August 1993 and June 2002).
References
- ^ "Phil Woolas". BBC News. 2006-03-30. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c "Phil Woolas; Biography". epolitix.com. 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
- ^ "Phil Woolas - Labour". rochdaleonline.co.uk. N.D. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c "Phil Woolas: Minister for the Environment". defra.gov.uk. 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Deputy Prime Minister - Local Government Ombudsman Written answers from Phil Woolas - Theyworkforyou.com. 19 October, 2005.
External links
- Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Phil Woolas MP
- Guardian Unlimited Politics - Ask Aristotle: Phil Woolas MP
- TheyWorkForYou.com - Phil Woolas MP
- BBC Politics page
- Article in Public Service Review: European Union issue 15