Mike Wood (Labour politician)
| Mike Wood | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen | |
|
In office 2 May 1997 – 30 March 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Elizabeth Peacock |
| Succeeded by | Jo Cox |
| Majority | 4,406 (8.5%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
3 March 1946 Crewe, Cheshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse(s) | Christine O'Leary |
| Alma mater | Leeds Polytechnic |
Michael Roy Wood (born 3 March 1946) is a British Labour politician, who was Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen from 1997 to 2015. He is a member of the left-wing Socialist Campaign Group, and is considered one of the more independently minded Labour MPs.
Early life
He is the son of Rowland Wood, a foundry worker, and his wife Laura. He has two siblings.
He was educated at Nantwich and Acton Grammar School (now called Malbank School and Sixth Form College) on Welsh Row in Nantwich. He went to Salisbury and Wells Theological College (now called Sarum College) in Salisbury, Wiltshire where he gained a Certificate in Theology in 1974. From the University of Leeds he gained a CQSW (Certificate of Qualification in Social Work) in 1981. From Leeds Polytechnic he gained a BA in History and Politics in 1989. He was a probation officer and social worker from 1965 to 1997 before becoming an MP.
Political life
From 1980 to 1988, he represented his then hometown Cleckheaton as a councillor – during that time he was chairman of the housing committee and the social services committee and was deputy leader of Kirklees Council. In the 1987 election, he contested the Hexham seat.
He joined the Labour Party in 1966, aged twenty. His political interests are described as: "law and order, animal welfare, transport, employment, health and the environment. He is a member of the Parliamentary groups on homelessness, transport, Indo-British affairs, AIDS, animal welfare, MS, ME, disablement, human rights, Kashmir and alcohol misuse." He is secretary of Parliament's Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Harm Reduction group. Mr Wood is an executive member of the All Party Penal Affairs Group, a patron of the National Association of British Market Authorities, a member of the Campaign for State Education and the Working Class Movement Library and a friend of Birzeit University in Palestine.
On 31 October 2006, Wood was one of 12 Labour MPs to back Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party's call for an inquiry into the Iraq War.[1]
In May 2007 he became parliamentary manager for John McDonnell's campaign to challenge Gordon Brown for the leadership of the Labour Party following Tony Blair's resignation.[2]
He stood down at the UK general election in 2015.
Personal life
He married Christine O'Leary in 1999. He has two stepdaughters, and a son and daughter from a previous marriage.
He lists his interests as reading, music, sport (particularly football), ornithology and walking. He was also the founder member of two workers' co-operatives.
Notes
- ↑ "Labour MPs who rebelled on Iraq". BBC News. 31 October 2006. Retrieved 31 October 2006.
- ↑ "John4Leader official website".
External links
- Mike Wood official site
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Mike Wood
- Guardian Unlimited Politics – Ask Aristotle: Mike Wood MP
- TheyWorkForYou.com – Mike Wood MP
- The Public Whip – Mike Wood MP voting record
- BBC News – Mike Wood BBC profile
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Elizabeth Peacock |
Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen 1997–2015 |
Succeeded by Jo Cox |