Andrew Bridgen
Andrew Bridgen [1] | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for North West Leicestershire | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2010 | |
| Preceded by | David Taylor |
| Majority | 7,511 (14.5%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 October 1964
[2] Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Jacqueline Bridgen |
| Alma mater | Nottingham University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Website | Official Website |
Andrew James Bridgen[3] (born 28 October 1964) is an English businessman and Conservative Party politician. Since May 2010 he has been Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of North West Leicestershire.
Biography
Bridgen was born in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. He attended Netherseal Junior School and later The Pingle School at Swadlincote where he gained 11 O-Levels and 4 A-Levels. He went on to study genetics and behaviour at Nottingham University, graduating with a degree in Biological Sciences.
After graduation, Bridgen trained as an officer in the Royal Marines. He returned home at 23 to help with the family market gardening business. Alongside brother Paul, he decided to diversify the business into producing pre-washed potatoes. They formed AB Produce in 1988.
The company is now located in Measham and produces pre-prepared potatoes and vegetables. They employ 230 members of staff. Bridgen is a former 'Young Executive of the Year UK' and 'Young Director of the Year (Midlands) Medium sized business'. Bridgen is married to Jacqueline, who is a Conservative councillor for the Oakthorpe and Donisthorpe ward. They have two young sons, Alexander and Benjamin.
Political career
Bridgen was selected as prospective parliamentary candidate for North West Leicestershire for the 2010 general election.
In May 2009 he intervened in the "dirty tricks row" involving a councillor who had offered Conservative backing to ensure a village hall was built if an independent election candidate stood down.[4]
Bridgen blamed "intransigence of certain unelected individuals at the very top of the county council" rather than the individual councillors involved.[4] Both Labour and Conservative council leaders criticised his intervention and the Council solicitor wrote to ask for an explanation.[4]
There was a police investigation and although he denied wrongdoing one of the councillors subsequently stood down.[5]
Bridgen was elected[6] on the 6th May as the first Conservative MP for the area in thirteen years. The seat had been vacant after the previous MP, David Taylor, died of a sudden heart attack on Boxing Day, 2009.
In June 2011, he attacked critics of Andrew Lansley's controversial proposed NHS reforms by claiming that anyone who opposed them was guilty of "Stalinist protectionist elements".[7], in the same month he was arrested in London under suspicion of sexually assaulting a 29 year old woman[8].
References
- ^ Biography on Andrew Bridgen's official website
- ^ "Andrew Bridgen MP". BBC Democracy Live. BBC. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- ^ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/59418/notices/1118281/from=2010-05-06;to=2010-05-19;all=returned+westminster/
- ^ a b c . Leicester Mercury. 30 May 2009 told to prove 'dirty tricks' allegations http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Tory-told-prove-dirty-tricks-allegations/article-1036066-detail/article.htmltitle=Tory told to prove 'dirty tricks' allegations. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
{{cite news}}: Check|url=value (help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "'Dirty tricks' deputy leader stands down". Leicester Mercury. 11 Jun 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
- ^ North West Leicestershire general election 2010 results
- ^ "Tory blasts 'Stalinist elements' in fightback over NHS shake-up". London Evening Standard. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
- ^ "MP Arrested Over Alleged Sexual Assault". Sky News. 9 June 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2011.