Andrew Bingham

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Andrew Bingham
MP
Andrew Bingham MP
Parliamentary Private Secretary to
Secretary of State for International Development,
Justine Greening MP
Assumed office
22 June 2014
Leader David Cameron MP
Member of Parliament
for High Peak
Assumed office
6 May 2010
Preceded by Tom Levitt
Majority 4,894 (9.6%)
Personal details
Born (1962-06-23) 23 June 1962 (age 61)
Buxton, Derbyshire, England
Nationality British
Political party Conservative
Spouse(s) Jayne Bingham
Residence Chapel-en-le-Frith
Alma mater University of Derby
Profession Businessman
Website andrewbingham.org
parliament..andrew-bingham

Andrew Russell Bingham[1] (born 23 June 1962)[2] is a British Conservative Party politician. He has been Member of Parliament (MP) for High Peak in Derbyshire[3] since winning the seat at the 2010 general election and Parliamentary Private Secretary to Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mark Francois MP since July 2014.[4]

Early life

Bingham was born in Buxton and grew up there before later moving to Chapel-en-le-Frith. He attended Long Lane Comprehensive School, now known as Chapel-en-le-Frith High School.[5] He worked as a Director in his father's business before being elected to parliament, supplying engineering equipment to companies across the High Peak and North West England.

Political career

Bingham was first elected onto High Peak Borough Council at the 1999 elections, and was Councillor for Chapel West ward until the 2011 Local Elections. When the Conservatives gained control of the Council in 2007 he became executive member for Social and Community Development.[6]

After losing by 735 votes to the incumbent Labour MP Tom Levitt at the 2005 general election, Bingham regained the High Peak seat for the Conservatives at the 2010 general election. He gave his maiden speech in the House of Commons on 8 June 2010, during which he claimed to have the most beautiful constituency in the UK.

In 2010 he was appointed to the Work and Pensions Select Committee.[7]

In July 2014 Bingham was appointed to the Government, to be Parliamentary Private Secretary to the newly promoted Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mark Francois MP.[8] Although not paid other than their salary as an MP, PPSs help government ministers to track backbench MPs' opinions in Parliament. They are subject to some restrictions as outlined in the Ministerial Code of the British government such as avoiding "associating themselves with recommendations critical of, or embarrassing to the Government", and must not make statements or ask questions on matters affecting the minister's department. He was re-elected for his constituency in the 2015 general election with 45% of votes. Following the 2015 Election he was appointed as PPS to Justine Greening, Secretary of State for International Development.

Rebellions

Mr Bingham has rarely rebelled against his party's line since being elected (just 2.9% of votes).[9] Some of the most notable rebellions have included voting against the reform of the House of Lords, the introduction of same-sex marriage, reducing the voting age to 16[10] and the introduction of the right to recall MPs.[11]

Other rebellions include:

  • voting to require payments to Equitable Life policyholders to be made irrespective of the date on which policies were taken out. of Bingham's first rebellions was to vote for payments to Equitable Life policyholders to be made irrespective of the date on [12]
  • on the issue of legal aid reform for victims of mesothelioma.[13] Bingham spoke in the debate.[14]
  • against increases to the 2011 EU budget,[15] and he also rebelled against the Government in October 2012, calling for the EU to cut its budget.[16]
  • In addition to his rebellions about the EU budget, Bingham was one of the 81 Conservative MPs who voted against the Government in October 2011, supporting a motion proposing a debate on UK membership of the European Union.[17]
  • In August 2013 he was among 30 Conservative MPs who voted against the Government on the issue of the UK's military involvement in the Syrian civil war.[18]

Before becoming bound by the Ministerial Code, as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Mr Bingham's various rebellions against the Government once led to one national newspaper to describe him as a 'serial rebel'.[19]

Same-sex marriage

Mr Bingham also controversially opposed the government's ultimately successful legislation to introduce same-sex marriage.[20] He stated that he knew his decision would 'upset'[21] people but "felt after much thought and consideration that marriage as the union of one man and woman has existed for thousands of years and [he] couldn’t support the changes proposed".

Campaigns

Mottram–Tintwistle Bypass

Since being elected Bingham has been involved with the campaign for a bypass of the village of Tintwistle in his constituency (commonly known as the A57/A628 bypass, or the Mottram–Tintwistle Bypass). He has met campaigners for the bypass,[22] raised the issue at PMQs,[23] held a parliamentary debate about the bypass,[24][25] and secured a visit by the Transport Minister, Norman Baker.[26][27]

Since the Minister's visit, Bingham has organised a number of meetings with a group of key stakeholders to find a way forward,[28] as well as continuing to raise the issue of the bypass with Ministers in the House of Commons.[29]

Corbar Birth Centre

In May 2011 Derbyshire County NHS announced a review of the future of Corbar Birth Centre in Buxton. Bingham spoke out in support of the birth centre[30] and joined the campaign to save it.[31] Amongst other things,[32] Bingham raised the issue at PMQs[33][34] and organised an action day across the constituency in conjunction with the National Childbirth Trust.[35][36]

Despite this, members of the NHS Derby City and NHS Derbyshire County cluster voted unanimously to close Corbar,[37][38] a decision which Bingham described as 'misinformed, misguided and wrong'.[39]

East Midlands Ambulance Service

In the summer of 2012, East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) announced plans to close the ambulance stations in Buxton and New Mills and replace them with a central hub in Chesterfield. Bingham met with EMAS to put his concerns to them and to state the case for an extra hub in the High Peak.[40] A vocal opponent of the EMAS proposals,[41] Bingham consistently warned about the length of the journey from the proposed central hub in Chesterfield,[42] saying he had 'grave concerns' that the plans would put lives at risk.[43] He also secured a short debate about the EMAS proposals in the House of Commons chamber,[44] during which he re-stated his opposition to the plans.[45][46]

In March the following year, EMAS announced that they had agreed to retain an ambulance station in the High Peak,[47] a decision which Bingham cautiously welcomed.[48]

Rural broadband

Bingham has also campaigned for better access to broadband in rural parts of his constituency, which he has said would benefit small businesses and the rural economy.[49] He has spoken in various debates on the issue in the House of Commons,[50] and in the course of one of them said that he regards broadband as the 'fourth utility' "as it is vital that businesses have it".[51]

Local events organised

Since being elected, Bingham has organised a number of local events either to raise money for charity or to support activities in the High Peak.[52] These have included a funding information day for local charities in early 2011,[53] a sponsored walk with Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin and a charity cricket match in 2013. In 2011 he organised a 'Small Business Day', with the aim of giving local businesses easy access to useful information[54] and in September 2012 Bingham hosted a 'Business Export Seminar' to help local businesses that wanted to start exporting.[55]

Personal life

Bingham follows most sports, particularly cricket and football. He has supported Buxton F.C. since he was a boy, saying that he prefers lower division football over the "glitzy image of the Premiership".[56] He is also an enthusiastic cook and enjoys cooking for friends and family.

He has been married to Jayne Bingham since 1986 and they live together in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

References

  1. The London Gazette: no. 59418. p. 8740. 13 May 2010.
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External links

Civic offices
Preceded by
Carole Elizabeth Cobb
Councillor for Chapel West Ward on High Peak Borough Council
1999 - 2011
Succeeded by
Cllr Timothy Norton
Preceded by
unknown
Executive Member for Social and Community Development on High Peak Borough Council
2007 - 2010
Succeeded by
Cllr Jean Wharmby
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for High Peak
2010–present
Incumbent