John Pugh

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For other people named John Pugh, see John Pugh (disambiguation).
John Pugh MP
Member of Parliament
for Southport
Incumbent
Assumed office
7 June 2001
Preceded by Ronnie Fearn
Majority 6,024 (13.8%)
Personal details
Born (1948-06-28) 28 June 1948
Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Nationality British
Political party Liberal Democrats
Spouse(s) Annette Pugh[1]
Children 3 daughters, 1 son
Alma mater Durham University
Religion Roman Catholic
Website John Pugh MP

John David Pugh (born 28 June 1948; Liverpool) is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. He is Member of Parliament (MP) for Southport. First elected in 2001[2] with a majority of 3,007, he was re-elected in 2005 with a slightly increased majority of 3,838, and again in 2010 with a majority of 6,024, or 13.8%.

Early life

Pugh was educated at Prescot Grammar School and Maidstone Grammar School. He graduated from Durham University,[3] attending St Cuthbert's Society, where he studied Philosophy.[4]

Career

Formerly a religious studies teacher and Head of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby,[5] Pugh has lived in Southport since 1974.

Political career

Pugh joined the Liberal Party in 1977. Pugh served on Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, representing Birkdale, from 1987 until his election to Parliament. At the time of his election, Pugh was leader of the council (from 1992), and of the Sefton Liberal Democrats.[6]

In the 2007 leadership election, John Pugh supported Nick Clegg in preference to Chris Huhne.[7]

Campaign interests

Amongst Pugh's campaigning interests is public sector IT, specifically around the role Open Source Software might play. Pugh has argued that the public sector could reduce costs by increasing use of Open Source Software [8] and has accused the BBC of effectively giving Microsoft illegal state aid in only making their iPlayer download service available on Windows computers (at the time).[9]

Pugh has interests in mental health policy.[10] In October 2009, Pugh introduced a bill under the 10 minute rule calling for more local control over the NHS.[11]

Locally in Southport, Pugh is interested in saving local pubs, and also in the booze culture that affects the UK.[12] Pugh sees cheap alcohol deals in supermarkets as one of the major problems causing pub closures, and fuelling the booze culture.[13] He also took the fight for Local Post Offices to 10 Downing Street.[14]

Pugh is a keen supporter of Amnesty International, with whom he is reported to have had close ties with the Formby & Southport Group over a number of years.[15]

In 2013, he became one of the few Liberal Democrat MPs to vote against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.[16]

Roles in parliament

  • 2010- Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee for Health and Social Care
  • 2008-10 Shadow Treasury Spokesperson [17]
  • 2006-07 Shadow Health spokesperson
  • 2005-06 Shadow Transport spokesperson,
  • 2002-05 Shadow Ministerial Spokesman, Education

Personal life

He is married to Annette with three daughters and a son.[18] He moved to Southport in 1974.

Pugh's interests include philosophy, computers, weight-lifters and supporting Liverpool F.C.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/110124/part2.htm
  2. ↑ Liverpool Daily Post
  3. ↑ politics.co.uk
  4. ↑ "Polling Guide - Southport". UK Election Report. Retrieved 2008-02-12. 
  5. ↑ Merchant Taylors website.
  6. ↑ John Pugh
  7. ↑ "Opinion: John Pugh MP writes". Lib Dem Voice. 2007-10-07. Retrieved 2008-02-07. 
  8. ↑ "Debate on Government IT and Software Procurement". Hansard. Retrieved 2008-02-07. 
  9. ↑ "MP accuses BBC chief of illegally championing Microsoft". The Register. Retrieved 2008-02-07. 
  10. ↑ They Work For You
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ Southport TV
  13. ↑ Champion Newspaper
  14. ↑ Southport Visitor
  15. ↑ Southport Reporter
  16. ↑ George Eaton, "Labour and Lib Dem MPs who voted against gay marriage: full list", New Statesman, 06-02-2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  17. ↑ http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?id=uk.org.publicwhip/ PublicWhip
  18. ↑ Liberal Democrat website also epolitix.com

External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Ronnie Fearn		 Member of Parliament for Southport
2001–present 		Incumbent
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