Ian Gibson (politician)

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For other persons named Ian Gibson, see Ian Gibson (disambiguation).
Ian Gibson MP
Ian Gibson (politician)
Member of Parliament
for Norwich North
Incumbent
Assumed office 
1 May 1997
Preceded by Patrick Thompson
Born 26 September 1938 (1938-09-26) (age 69)
Dumfries, Scotland
Nationality Scottish
Political party Labour

Ian Gibson (born September 26, 1938) British politician, is the Labour Member of Parliament for Norwich North.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Ian Gibson was born in Dumfries, Scotland and was educated locally at the Dumfries Academy on Academy Street in Dumfries, before attending the University of Edinburgh where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics and became a Doctor of Philosophy. He continued his studies in the United States of America at both Indiana University and the University of Washington. He worked continuously for the University of East Anglia from 1965 until his election to Westminster thirty two years later. He initially worked as a scientist until 1971, before becoming a senior biology lecturer until becoming the Dean of Biology in 1991, he became an honorary professor in 2003.

[edit] Parliamentary career

He was a member of the executive of the Manufacturing, Science and Finance trade union for twenty four years from 1972, and joined the Labour Party as late as 1983. He unsuccessfully contested Norwich North at the 1992 General Election where he was defeated by the sitting Conservative MP Patrick Thompson by just 266 votes. He was elected to the House of Commons at the 1997 General Election, Thompson had retired and Gibson beat the new Tory candidate by 9,470, and remains the MP there. He made his maiden speech on June 17, 1997.[1] He is the coach of the cross-party parliamentary football team.

He is currently a member of the Select Committee on Innovation Universities Science and skills. He was a member of the science and technology select committee since his election in 1997 and served as its chairman between 2001-5. He is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer. Whilst he was the dean of biology at The University of East Anglia he was the head of a research team investigating cancer, and has been awarded a 'Champion' award by Macmillan Cancer Relief for his work in support of people with cancer. He was a major campaigner against top-up fees for universities. He suffered a minor stroke on a visit to Ramallah, West Bank in September 2004.[2] Dr Gibson also Chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cuba and the All Party Writer's Group.

He attracted controversy in August 2006 after claiming inbreeding in his constituency may have played a part in its rising number of diabetes cases. However, he did later apologise for these remarks, stating he did not mean to cause offence. [3]

[edit] Personal life

He has been married to Elizabeth Frances Lubbock since March 1974 and they have two daughters. He is a supporter of Norwich City F.C.

[edit] Publications

  • Anti-Sense Technology by Ian Gibson, 1997
  • Too Little Too Late?: Government Investment in Nanotechnology by Ian Gibson, 2004, The Stationery Office Books ISBN 0-215-01644-0
  • Within Reach the EUs New Chemical Strategy by Ian Gibson, The Stationery Office Books ISBN 0-215-01706-4
  • Advanced Manufacturing Technology for Medical Applications by Ian Gibson, 2005, John Wiley & Sons Ltd ISBN 0-470-01688-4

[edit] References

  1. ^ House of Commons Hansard Debates for 17 Jun 1997 (pt 23)
  2. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/3670422.stm MP falls ill on West Bank visit - BBC News
  3. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4781693.stm MP sorry for 'inbreeding' remarks - BBC News

[edit] External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Patrick Thompson		 Member of Parliament for Norwich North
1997 – present		 Incumbent