John Leech (politician)
Encyclopedia : J : JO : JOH : 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 was elected at the 2005 general election, defeating the Labour Party candidate by a swing of 17% and becoming the first Liberal or Liberal Democrat to win a Manchester seat since 1929. He is the Liberal Democrat member of parliament's Transport Select Committee and was appointed a Shadow Transport Spokesperson in 2006.
John went to Manchester Grammar School, Loreto College (Moss Side) and Brunel University where he studied history and politics and joined the Liberal Democrats.
Prior to his election to Parliament he was Deputy Leader of the Opposition Group on Manchester City Council. He also worked as a trainee manager for McDonalds and part time at the RAC in Stockport as a call centre insurance claims handler.
John currently lives in Whalley Range with his long term partner Catherine. He is an amateur dramatics enthusiast (Manchester Road Players). John is also a long term football supporter following Manchester City F.C. and an enthusiastic member of the Parliamentary Football team. After a very testy match against British Press Leech compained of a Wayne Rooney-like toe injury and also of the press intending to injure him. The press, in particular The Daily Mail, responded by dubbing him "fat and unfit" and this characterisation has followed him to the Palace of westminster where he is often seen propping up one or other of the many bars.[[Citing sources citation needed]] His father is a Methodist minister.
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 said that these concerns were unfounded and that there was never any risk to the hospital. However, John Leech says that Christie's confirmed that medical staff at the hospital were indeed concerned at the possibility of cancer services at Christie's being broken up, and had started a petition. However, local residents carried out a Freedom of Information Act search and found that no petition had been submitted, that no medical staff had in fact signed a letter or the alleged petition, and that "Christie's" in any official form had not confirmed any such thing. Senior officials in fact expressed anger at Leech's intervention and the Manchester Evening News carried editorial comment that condemned use of spurious health 'facts' in election campaigns. Many letters to local newspapers have pointed out that Leech's campaign was at best incompetent and very likely a cynical distortion. He was also revealled to have burnt at least one proposed election leaflet and his return of election expenses was widely pilloried as being inaccurate and seriously understated. Phone use was stated at only £17 in all though most residents received phone calls in the campaign as a whole, many during the election period when expenses are controlled. Leech's campaign also included a targeted letter to women in the electorate concerning Ovarian cancer. This too was extraordinarily negative and blatantly scaremongering. [link].
Political History
| Councillor - Barlow Moor | 1998 - 2004 |
|---|---|
| Councillor - Chorlton Park | 2004 - Present |
| MP - Manchester Withington | 2005 - Present |
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
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