Mike Thornton (politician)
| Mike Thornton | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Eastleigh |
|
| In office 28 February 2013 – 30 March 2015[1] |
|
| Preceded by | Chris Huhne |
| Succeeded by | Mims Davies |
| Majority | 1,771 (5.26%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Douglas Thornton 1 May 1952 Farnham, Surrey, England |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats |
| Spouse(s) | Peta Thornton |
| Children | One daughter |
| Alma mater | Charterhouse School Manchester Metropolitan University |
Michael Douglas Thornton[2] (born 1 May 1952)[3] is a British politician and former Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Eastleigh in Hampshire. He was elected in the Eastleigh by-election held on 28 February 2013, a seat that he subsequently lost in the 2015 general election.
Early life[edit]
The son of Sir Peter Eustace Thornton, Thornton grew up in Farnham in Surrey and was educated at Charterhouse School, before reading law at Manchester Polytechnic. He has had a range of jobs, including spells in the United States (his mother is from Tennessee). Mike also spent a significant period of time working in financial services.
He has lived in Bishopstoke, Hampshire since 1994[4] and was previously a parish councillor in Bishopstoke[5] and a borough councillor[6] in Eastleigh.
Political career[edit]
Following the resignation of the previous Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne, he was chosen as their candidate at the 2013 Eastleigh by-election to replace him. This took place on 28 February 2013 and Thornton was declared the winner in the early hours of 1 March.[7]
In Parliament, Thornton joined the European Scrutiny Committee, the Work and Pensions Committee and the Bill committee for HS2,[8] which he argues "would benefit the country as a whole, not just the cities that link to it"[9]
References[edit]
- ^ "Dissolution of Parliament". Parliament.uk. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ^ "Eastleigh Parliamentary By-Election 2013 Result". Eastleigh Borough Council. 1 March 2013.
- ^ "Mike Thornton Liberal Democrats". Southern Daily Echo. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ^ About Mike on Eastleigh Lib Dems site
- ^ Bishopstoke PC profile
- ^ Profile on Council web site
- ^ Wintour, Patrick; Morris, Steven (1 March 2013). "Lib Dems hold off Ukip surge as Tories drop to third in Eastleigh byelection". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ^ "Mike Thornton". Parliament UK. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
- ^ "HS2: Cameron hails 'vital programme' as MPs approve funding". BBC. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
External links[edit]
- Constituency website
- Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Voting record at Public Whip
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Chris Huhne |
Member of Parliament for Eastleigh 2013–2015 |
Succeeded by Mims Davies |