Jim Knight

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For the Australian rules footballer, see Jim Knight (footballer).
The Right Honourable
The Lord Knight of Weymouth
FRSA PC
Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform
In office
5 June 2009 – 11 May 2010
Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Preceded by Tony McNulty
Succeeded by Chris Grayling
Minister of State for Schools and Learners
In office
28 June 2007 – 5 June 2009
Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Preceded by Jacqui Smith
Succeeded by Vernon Coaker
Member of Parliament
for South Dorset
In office
7 June 2001 – 6 May 2010
Preceded by Ian Bruce
Succeeded by Richard Drax
Majority 1,812 (3.7%)
Personal details
Born (1965-03-06) 6 March 1965
Bexley, United Kingdom
Political party Labour
Spouse(s) Anna Wheatley
Alma mater Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
Knight's voice
recorded in July 2013
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James Philip Knight, Baron Knight of Weymouth FRSA[1] (born 6 March 1965) is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dorset from 2001 until 2010, when he lost his seat. Knight held several ministerial posts during his time as an MP including Minister for the South West and Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform. It was announced in the Dissolution Honours List on 28 May 2010 that he would be made a life peer.

Education

Knight was educated at Eltham College, an independent school in Mottingham in south-east London, followed by Fitzwilliam College at the University of Cambridge, where he studied Geography, Social & Political Sciences from 1984–87, gaining a BA Hons.

Early career

Knight was Manager of Central Studio in Basingstoke from 1988–90. From 1990–91, he was Director of West Wiltshire Arts Centre Ltd, then Director of Dentons Directories Ltd in Westbury from 1991-2001.

Election history

Knight first stood for Parliament in the 1997 general election as the Labour candidate for South Dorset, but lost by 77 votes. He was, however, elected on the same day to Mendip District Council, on which he served until 2001, including as Labour Group leader.

At the 2001 general election, he was elected the Member of Parliament for South Dorset by 153 votes in the only Labour gain from the Conservatives in that year. In the 2005 general election he increased his majority to 1,812, but with a small decrease in his share of the vote. In the 2010 general election Knight lost his seat to Conservative Richard Drax by 7,443 votes after a 11.4% drop in his vote.

Parliamentary career

Knight was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2005-06. He then moved to become Minister of State for Schools in the Department for Education and Skills. On 28 June 2007, when Gordon Brown disbanded the department, Knight moved to the newly created Department for Children, Schools and Families, as the Minister for Schools and Learners. In October 2008 following the reshuffle, Knight became a member of the Privy Council.

In his first Parliament, Jim Knight generally voted in line with party policy, including all major votes such as those on the Iraq war and top-up fees.

Jim Knight held the following positions:

  • 2003-2004 - Parliamentary Private Secretary to Rosie Winterton then Minister of State at the Department of Health
  • 2004-2005 - Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministerial Team at the Department of Health
  • 2005-2006 - Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs, the Landscape & Biodiversity
  • 2006-2009 - Minister of State for Schools
  • 2009–2010 - Minister of State for Employment
  • 2009–2010 - Minister for the South West

Knight was created a Life Peer on 23 June 2010 taking the title Baron Knight of Weymouth, of Weymouth in the County of Dorset.[2]

In September 2011 he contributed to the book What next for Labour? Ideas for a new generation, his piece was entitled What Chance and Enabling State?.[3]

References

  1. ↑ http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/135065/ministers_interests.pdf
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 59471. p. 12149. 28 June 2010.
  3. ↑ www.whatnextforlabour.com/contributors/

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jim Knight (politician).
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Ian Bruce		 Member of Parliament for South Dorset
2001–2010 		Succeeded by
Richard Drax
Political offices
Preceded by
Jacqui Smith		 Minister of State for Schools and Learners
2006–2009 		Succeeded by
Vernon Coaker
Preceded by
Tony McNulty		 Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform
2009–2010 		Succeeded by
Chris Grayling
Brown Cabinet
Cabinet Members
Government Coat of Arms.
Also Attended Meetings
Attended While on Agenda
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