Parmjit Dhanda

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Parmjit Singh Dhanda (born September 17, 1971) is a British Labour Party politician. He was elected Member of Parliament for Gloucester in the 2001 general election, succeeding Tess Kingham as the Labour MP for the seat. He was re-elected in 2005 general election. Parmjit Dhanda is currently Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children, Young People and Families in the Department for Education and Skills

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Background

Born in London to Indian immigrants of Sikh origin. His Mother was a cleaner at a local Hospital, whilst his father was a Lorry Driver. Educated at the Mellow Lane Comprehensive School, Hayes before attending the University of Nottingham where he received a Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1993, and a MA in information technology in 1995.

Parmjit Dhanda is married and lives with his family in Kingsholm, Gloucestershire. Has been a member of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) since 1999, and has been a member of the Co-operative Party since 1996. He speaks both Punjabi and French.

Parmjit Dhanda became a Labour Party organiser in West London, Hampshire and Wiltshire in 1996, then went on to be assistant national organiser with Connect in 1998 where he remained until he was elected to Westminster. He was elected as a councillor in the London Borough of Hillingdon in 1998 and served on the council until 2002. He was on Labour's list for the 1999 European Parliament election, but was unsuccessful. He was selected to contest the House of Commons seat of Gloucester at the 2001 General Election following the retirement of Tess Kingham. Parmjit Dhanda held the seat with a majority of 3,880 and has remained an MP since. He made his maiden speech on June 27, 2001.[link]

In parliament, Parmjit Dhanda became a member of the Science and Technology Select Committee from his election until 2003. He helped setup an all-party group on Telecommunications, of which he's a Secretary. In December, 2004 he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for Schools Stephen Twigg.

After the 2005 General Election Parmjit Dhanda was appointed to post of Assistant Government Whip. In May 2006 he was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children, Young People and Families in the Department for Education and Skills.

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