John Leech (politician)
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| Constituency | Manchester Withington |
|---|---|
| Elected | 5 May 2005 |
| Majority | 667 Votes |
| Predecessor | Keith Bradley (Labour) |
| Date of Birth | 1 April 1971 |
| Political Party | Liberal Democrat |
John Leech (born 11 April 1971) is a British politician and the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Manchester Withington. He is the Liberal Democrat member of parliament's Transport Select Committee and was appointed a Shadow Transport Spokesperson in 2006.
Background
Leech went to Manchester Grammar School, Loreto College (Moss Side) and Brunel University where he studied history and politics and joined the Liberal Democrats.
After leaving university Leech worked as a trainee manager for McDonalds and part time at the RAC in Stockport as a call centre insurance claims handler.
Leech currently lives in Whalley Range with his long term partner Catherine. He is an amateur dramatics enthusiast (Manchester Road Players). His father is a Methodist minister.
Leech is also a football supporter, and season-ticket holder, following Manchester City F.C. and an enthusiastic member of the Parliamentary Football team. After a very "ill-tempered" match against British Press, Leech complained of a Wayne Rooney-like toe injury from the "over-zealous" journalists intending to injure him. [1] After the match, The Daily Mail, adding insult to injury, dubbed him "fat and unfit".
Political Career
In 1998 Leech was elected to Manchester City Council, as a Councillor for Barlow Moor, then Chorlton Park. Leech was Deputy Leader of the council's Opposition Group, acting as a spokesperson for Planning and the Environment.[2]. Leech continues to represent Chorlton Park as a councillor in addition to duties as Member of Parliament.
Leech was elected at the 2005 general election, defeating Keith Bradley, the incumbent Labour Party MP, by a swing of over 17%. Leech became the first Liberal or Liberal Democrat to win a Manchester seat since 1929.
2005 Election Campaign
During John Leech's 2005 General Election campaign he mounted a 'Save Christie Hospital' campaign, focusing on concern at the possible movement of cancer services away from one of Europe's largest cancer treatment centres. Labour Party supporters alleged that these concerns were unfounded and that there was never any risk to the hospital.
It had been reported in the Manchester Evening News that discussions had taken place about moving certain services away from Christie Hospital as part of a review of services by the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority. Following this, consultants at the hospital signed a statement citing concerns that dislocation of services from the Christie Hospital could jeopardise patient outcomes.
The campaign was taken up by Leech as well as the Conservative Party Shadow Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley. However health executives reacted angrily to what they perceived as scaremongering on the part of both the Liberal Democrats and the consultants that signed the statement. The Chief Executives of the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority and the South Manchester Primary Care Trust rubbished the rumours.[3]
The debate between Labour and Liberal Democrat party members about the validity of Leech's claims has continued since the election. Leech took a petition of 1,500 residents to the Stategic Health Authority over the threat while Labour supporters organised a separate petition of local residents to request an explanation from Leech over his conduct.[4]
In 2006 Lib Dem Cllr Angela Gallagher defected to the Labour Party citing his Christie Hospital campaign as a major factor in her decision. Gallagher had donated over £22,000 to John Leech's General Election campaign fund.[5]
Political Offices
References
- ^ "Oh no, it's Toe-bago!". South Manchester Reporter. Retrieved July 29.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Who's Who - John Leech MP". Liberal Democrats. Retrieved July 29.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Camber, Rebecca (2005-04-15). "Christie fury at shake-up talks". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2006-08-16.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "MP Ambushed by red card petition over cancer wards". South Manchester Reporter. Retrieved August 08.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Lib Dem quit over MP's Christie closure claim". South Manchester Reporter. Retrieved August 08.
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External links
- John Leech MP profile on the site of Liberal Democrats
- Guardian Unlimited Politics - Ask Aristotle: John Leech MP
- They Work For You - John Leech MP
- Early Day Motions Signed by John
- The Public Whip - John Leech voting record
- John Leech Watch constituent-run discussion forum