Michael Wills
| The Right Honourable The Lord Wills PC | |
|---|---|
| Minister of State for Justice | |
| In office 29 June 2007 – 6 May 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | Unknown |
| Succeeded by | Rt Hon the Lord McNally |
| Member of Parliament for North Swindon | |
| In office 1 May 1997 – 6 May 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency Created |
| Succeeded by | Justin Tomlinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 May 1952 St Pancras, London |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse(s) | Jill Freeman |
| Alma mater | Clare College, Cambridge |
Michael David Wills, Baron Wills PC (born 20 May 1952) is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Swindon North from 1997 to 2010. He was a Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice, a position he held from 29 June 2007.
Early life
Wills was born in 1952 to Stephen Wills and his wife Elizabeth (nee McKeowen). He has a younger sister. He went to the independent Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree, Hertfordshire and studied at Clare College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a double first in History (BA). Following that, he joined the diplomatic service, gaining the highest mark in the entrance exam.
He worked for HM Diplomatic Service from 1976-80. He became a researcher for London Weekend Television from 1980–84, being a colleague of Peter Mandelson. From 1984-97, he was a Director of Juniper Productions.
Parliamentary career
He was elected as the MP for Swindon North in 1997 and quickly joined the government, working in various capacities. He eventually left the government to campaign against the Common Agricultural Policy. This campaign appears to have subsided. He was re-elected as an MP in 2001 and 2005. He has worked as an advisor and speechwriter to Gordon Brown. It was announced he would be appointed to the Privy Council in October 2008.
On 14 September 2009, Wills announced his intention to stand down at the 2010 general election.[1]
Voting record
How Michael Wills voted on key issues since 2001:[2]
- Has never voted on a transparent Parliament.
- Voted for introducing a smoking ban.
- Voted for introducing ID cards.
- Voted for introducing foundation hospitals.
- Voted for introducing student top-up fees.
- Voted for Labour's anti-terrorism laws.
- Voted for the Iraq war.
- Voted against investigating the Iraq war.
- Voted for replacing Trident.
- Voted for the hunting ban.
- Voted for equal gay rights.
Personal life
He married Jill Freeman on 19 January 1984 in Westminster. They have three sons and two daughters.
Peerage
In the 2010 Dissolution Honours, he was awarded a life peerage, which was created on 10 July 2010 with the title Baron Wills, of North Swindon, in the County of Wiltshire.[3]
References
- ↑ "MP Wills will not stand for re-election". Swindon Advertiser. 2009-09-14.
- ↑ They Work For You.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 59490. p. 13613. 16 July 2010.
External links
News items
- Missing data discs in November 2007
- Common Agricultural Policy in November 2004
- Ask Michael Wills - Technology in Schools - May 2000
Video clips
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