Jamie Cann

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jamie Charles Cann (June 28, 1946–October 15, 2001) was a politician in the United Kingdom. He was Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, then became Labour Member of Parliament for Ipswich in the 1992 general election.

He was a Eurosceptic, and voted against equalising the age of consent for same-sex relations. In 1998 he was fined a thousand pounds, and disqualified for 18 months for drink-driving.

Renowned as an MP with acerbic wit, he spent most of his time campaigning in the constituency. As leader of Ipswich Borough Council (79-91) and thence as MP he was at the forefront of transforming Ipswich into the modern, thriving town it is today. Many local campaigns were fronted by Cann including the successful Whitefriars development, saving the Wolsey Theatre and town centre supermarket whilst keeping Ipswich as one of the best providers and maintainers of local authority housing in Britain.

He died in office in October 2001, after a spell in hospital. The subsequent by-election for his seat was won by the Labour candidate Chris Mole. A retirement home on the Ravenswood development in Ipswich was named after him following his death, in his honour.