John Randall (British politician)

For other people named John Randall, see John Randall (disambiguation).
The Right Honourable
Sir John Randall
Treasurer of the Household
Deputy Chief Whip
In office
11 May 2010  6 October 2013
Prime Minister David Cameron
Preceded by Tommy McAvoy
Succeeded by Greg Hands
Member of Parliament
for Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Uxbridge (1997–2010)
In office
10 July 1997  30 March 2015
Preceded by Sir Michael Shersby
Succeeded by Boris Johnson
Personal details
Born (1955-08-05) 5 August 1955
Uxbridge, Middlesex, England
Nationality British
Political party Conservative
Spouse(s) Kate
Children 3
Alma mater University College London
Profession Businessman
Website Official website

Sir Alexander John Randall (born 5 August 1955) is a Conservative politician in the United Kingdom, and was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Uxbridge and then later Uxbridge and South Ruislip. He was the Conservative Deputy Chief Whip between May 2010 and October 2013.

Early life

Randall, born in Uxbridge, was educated at Rutland House School, an independent school in Hillingdon in west London, and later at Merchant Taylors' School, another independent school, in Northwood, Hertfordshire. In 1979, he graduated from the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, which is now part of University College London. with an Upper Second Class Honours BA degree in Serbo-Croatian language and literature. His involvement in politics came about through his family's store, Randalls of Uxbridge, where he was managing director. In 1994, he became Honorary Treasurer of Uxbridge Conservative Association, which later elected him Chairman.

Parliamentary career

Randall was elected Member of Parliament for Uxbridge in a by-election following the death of Sir Michael Shersby in the wake of the Labour Party's 1997 landslide election victory. Randall had been an Election Agent for Shersby throughout the 1997 General Election campaign. He became the first Conservative candidate to win a parliamentary by-election since William Hague's victory in Richmond in 1989.

During his political career he has sat on the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Select Committee and its Environment Sub-Committee. He is strongly against the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

In 1999 he was appointed as an Opposition Whip, but, due to his opposition to Britain's involvement in the Iraq War, he resigned as a matter of conscience in March 2003.[1] He was later reappointed as a Whip in 2003. At the end of 2005 he was promoted to Conservative Assistant Chief Whip. In 2010 he was appointed the joint Deputy Chief Whip and Treasurer of Her Majesty's Household in the Coalition Government.

He was appointed as a Privy Counsellor on 9 June 2010.[2]

He resigned from the government with praise to David Cameron on 6 October 2013, amid a cabinet reshuffle.[3] On 21 October 2013 it was announced that he was to receive a knighthood.[4] On 10 July 2014, Randall announced that he would not be standing as a parliamentary candidate for the seat at the 2015 general election.[5]

Personal life

John Randall married Katherine Frances Gray in 1986; the couple have two sons and a daughter. Randall is a keen supporter of Uxbridge Football Club.

References

External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Sir Michael Shersby
Member of Parliament for Uxbridge
19972015
Succeeded by
Boris Johnson
Political offices
Preceded by
Tommy McAvoy
Treasurer of the Household
2010–2013
Succeeded by
Greg Hands
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