Talk:Pat McFadden (British politician)

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McFadden has been one of the most important behind-the-scenes figures of the Blair administration. It would be nice to see this article expanded greatly.

[edit] Photo

Lets find a photo

Seems to be very much behind-the-scenes. Can't find a proper bio anywhere. I just added his current appointment, but if you know more could you add it? Marinheiro 08:50, 31 May 2006 (UTC)

From Pat's Website ......... Pat McFadden was born in Paisley in 1965 and grew up in Glasgow, the youngest of seven children. He went to Holy Cross Primary school and later to Holyrood Secondary School. After leaving school he studied politics at Edinburgh University.

He worked as a research assistant to the late Donald Dewar MP, then as Labour’s Scottish affairs spokesman between 1988 and 1993. In 1993 he left to work as a speechwriter and policy adviser to the late John Smith MP, then Labour leader.

When Tony Blair was elected Labour leader in 1994, Pat was asked to stay on to work in a variety of posts for Mr Blair including Policy Adviser both in opposition and in 10 Downing Street and later served as the Prime Minister’s Political Secretary from 2001 to 2005.

In 2005 he was selected to fight the constituency of Wolverhampton South East where he succeeded Dennis Turner who had represented the constituency for 18 years.

In May 2006 he was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the Cabinet Office as Junior Minister for Social Exclusion.

Is he one of the "dubious" former Blair Aides who have 
been "parachuted" in to a safe seat in contravention
of anti-corruption laws ?

It is the case that the circumstances of his promotion to an M.P.
seem remarkably similar to the examples given in Jack Straw's 1998 
Bill, with reference to the Salmon and Nolan and even the Law 
Society reccommendations.

This is a grey area, and Mr Mcfadden sails very close to the wind, 
as does previous incumbent in the seat. Lord "Bilston" clearly 
gains an "advantage" from never having to face the electorate 
again, and his rapid promotion to the upper house, after 
his "unexpected" retiral, and the subsequent rapid promotion to a 
senior post, by Mcfadden seems suspicious to say the least.

Mcfadden is one of those on the GMB's list of dubious promotions. See the URL: http://www.gmb.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=93989

......... Victoria Tower Pieman

Dennis Turner has recently suffered a stroke and his retirement was very unexpected, and Mr McFadden's acceptance to fight the seat at the 2005 election was a very last minute descision, not a calculated effort to put him in a seat. Dennis Turner's promotion is no more unexpected than Baroness Thatcher's was. His record for 18 years was to vote with the Labour Party line on all matters, both in opposition and in government. Hansard is evidence of that. And as for McFadden his influence on the PM was to drive policy to the left, and most of the union delegates he worked with (mainly during conference) say he was a good contact who respected the union's position and acted as an intermediate to the PM. 217.46.254.238 13:48, 16 August 2006 (UTC)