Norman Baker

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Norman John Baker (born 26 July 1957 in Aberdeen) is a British politician. He is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament (MP) for Lewes. He was the Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment and Rural Affairs Secretary, but stood down as of 2 March 2006 immediately following the appointment of Sir Menzies Campbell as party leader. He still, however continues to lead the party with regard to environmental issues.

He was educated at the Royal Liberty School in London and the Royal Holloway College, University of London.

He was a regional director for Our Price Records for five years from 1978. From 1985 he taught English as a foreign language. In 1987 he was elected as a councillor to the Lewes District Council, and two years later was also elected to the local county council of East Sussex. He became the Leader of Lewes Council in 1991, a position he held until his election to Westminster.

He contested Lewes at the 1992 general election but was easily defeated by the sitting Conservative Party MP Tim Rathbone. Baker again fought Lewes at the 1997 election, which he narrowly won and ousted Rathbone, and ousted the Conservatives after more than 100 years of continual representation at Westminster from Lewes.

Norman Baker is well known for uncovering scandal and conflicts of interest among MPs and the Government. His consistent questioning of Peter Mandelson was seen by many to lead to Mandelson's downfall, and he has also raised issues about Lord Birt and his role as Tony Blair's adviser. The Daily Mail described him as 'a constant thorn in the side of the Government'. In 2001 he was named "Inquisitor of the Year" in the Zurich/Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year Awards, and in February 2002 he won the Channel 4 Opposition MP of the Year Award.

Baker is regarded as coming from the left-wing of the party, and is a member of the Beveridge Group within the Liberal Democrats. He is also a staunch republican.

He is also well known for his vocal support for animal rights groups, and he is a strong proponent for greater protection of animals under law.

In May 2005 he introduced the Climate Change Early Day Motion to Parliament along with Michael Meacher and John Gummer.

He announced on 19 May 2006 that his decision to step down from the shadow cabinet was based on his decision to pursue a quest to establish the truth behind the death of Dr David Kelly. Recently he claimed that evidence showing David Kelly's death was not a suicide had been wiped from his hard drive. [1]