Bob Spink
Encyclopedia
Robert Michael Spink is a politician in the United Kingdom
. He was elected as the Conservative Party
Member of Parliament
for Castle Point
in Essex
in 1992, lost his seat in 1997, but regained it in 2001. Spink lost his seat as Member of Parliament in the 2010 elections to the Conservative candidate, Rebecca Harris
.
Having resigned the Conservative whip in March 2008, in April 2008 he defected to the United Kingdom Independence Party
, becoming that party's first and only MP. In November 2008 he was redesignated as an Independent, on the grounds that UKIP had no 'whip' and has since denied joining UKIP.
In March 2010, Spink confirmed he was encouraging candidates to stand in local elections under the label "Independent Save Our Green Belt", in addition to using this label as his own parliamentary designation until the general election.
and Southall Technical College. At the University of Manchester
, he gained an BSc
Hons (1st) in 1972. At Cranfield University
, he gained an MSc
in Industrial Engineering
and Administration in 1975 and PhD
in Economics and Management in 1988.
He joined the Royal Air Force
(RAF) in 1964, and until 1966 did his Basic Training
at RAF Cosford
and RAF Uxbridge
, being invalided. He was an engineer for EMI Electronics Ltd
from 1966-77 in Hayes
and gained an Ordinary National Certificate
(ONC) from Southall Technical College in 1969 when on day-release, then became an Industrial Management Consultant in 1977 for Harold Whitehead and Partners. From 1980-4, he was Director of Seafarer Navigation International Ltd (eventually bought by Standard Communications) in Bournemouth
, and from 1989–93, he was a non-executive Director of Bournemouth International Airport
. From 1984-93, he was a Management Consultant. From 1997 to 2001, he worked for Harold Whitehead in Windsor
. He was a county councillor in Dorset from 1985-92.
. The Tory leadership should disown it." Spink won the election, increasing his share of the vote by 3.7%.
On 12 March 2008, Spink announced to the UK House of Commons that he had resigned the Conservative Party Whip
due to "criminal and other irregularities" in his constituency. This announcement was later rebutted by the party chief whip Patrick McLoughlin
and they described the whip having been withdrawn from him.
On 21 April 2008, Bob Spink became the first member of Parliament for the United Kingdom Independence Party
, saying that "positive and sensible co-operation with the EU does not require us to sell the British people down the river or to give our independence away". He later found himself at odds with his new-found colleagues over the issue of whether or not to extend the amount of time a suspect can be detained without charge from 28 to 42 days. He voted for the bill, but UKIP opposed it.
Following the arrest of Shadow Immigration Minister, Damian Green
, and the searching of Green's House of Commons office on suspicion of "procuring misconduct in public office" for passing leaked Government documents to journalists, the House of Commons debated whether it was right that the police should be given access to an MP's office and to remove his computers and constituency correspondence. Spink voted with the Government, and against the position set out by the UKIP leadership, on both the Government's motion and an amendment tabled by backbench MPs. The amendment, which would have meant that the committee looking into whether correct procedures had been followed, was defeated by 4 votes.
In 2009 he tabled an Early Day Motion
to ban the British Humanist Association
atheist bus campaign posters from appearing on public transport.
He is opposed to abortion
and supports reintroduction of capital punishment
. He is against research into animal chimera
s and refers to those involved in or supporting human bioengineering as "dark forces".
In the 2010 election, Spink lost in Castle Point to Rebecca Harris
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. He was elected as the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Castle Point
Castle Point (UK Parliament constituency)
Castle Point is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It returns one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post system.It was created in 1983, primarily...
in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
in 1992, lost his seat in 1997, but regained it in 2001. Spink lost his seat as Member of Parliament in the 2010 elections to the Conservative candidate, Rebecca Harris
Rebecca Harris
Rebecca Elizabeth Harris is a British Conservative Party politician who was elected at the 2010 general election as the Member of Parliament for Castle Point....
.
Having resigned the Conservative whip in March 2008, in April 2008 he defected to the United Kingdom Independence Party
United Kingdom Independence Party
The United Kingdom Independence Party is a eurosceptic and right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom. Whilst its primary goal is the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, the party has expanded beyond its single-issue image to develop a more comprehensive party platform.UKIP...
, becoming that party's first and only MP. In November 2008 he was redesignated as an Independent, on the grounds that UKIP had no 'whip' and has since denied joining UKIP.
In March 2010, Spink confirmed he was encouraging candidates to stand in local elections under the label "Independent Save Our Green Belt", in addition to using this label as his own parliamentary designation until the general election.
Early life
He was educated at Holycroft Secondary Modern School (now a primary school) on Victoria Road in KeighleyKeighley
Keighley is a town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. It is situated northwest of Bradford and is at the confluence of the River Aire and the River Worth...
and Southall Technical College. At the University of Manchester
Victoria University of Manchester
The Victoria University of Manchester was a university in Manchester, England. On 1 October 2004 it merged with the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology to form a new entity, "The University of Manchester".-1851 - 1951:The University was founded in 1851 as Owens College,...
, he gained an BSc
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
Hons (1st) in 1972. At Cranfield University
Cranfield University
Cranfield University is a British postgraduate university based on two campuses, with a research-oriented focus. The main campus is at Cranfield, Bedfordshire and the second is the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom based at Shrivenham, Oxfordshire. The main campus is unique in the United...
, he gained an MSc
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in Industrial Engineering
Industrial engineering
Industrial engineering is a branch of engineering dealing with the optimization of complex processes or systems. It is concerned with the development, improvement, implementation and evaluation of integrated systems of people, money, knowledge, information, equipment, energy, materials, analysis...
and Administration in 1975 and PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in Economics and Management in 1988.
He joined the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF) in 1964, and until 1966 did his Basic Training
Recruit training
Recruit training, more commonly known as Basic Training and colloquially called Boot Camp, is the initial indoctrination and instruction given to new military personnel, enlisted and officer...
at RAF Cosford
RAF Cosford
RAF Cosford is a Royal Air Force station in Cosford, Shropshire, just to the northwest of Wolverhampton and next to Albrighton.-History:...
and RAF Uxbridge
RAF Uxbridge
RAF Uxbridge was a Royal Air Force station in Uxbridge within the London Borough of Hillingdon. Its grounds covered originally belonging to the Hillingdon House estate, which was purchased by the British Government in 1915, three years before the founding of the RAF...
, being invalided. He was an engineer for EMI Electronics Ltd
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
from 1966-77 in Hayes
Hayes, Hillingdon
Hayes is a town in the London Borough of Hillingdon, West London. It is a suburban development situated west of Charing Cross. Hayes was developed in the late 19th and 20th centuries as an industrial locality to which residential districts were later added in order to house factory workers...
and gained an Ordinary National Certificate
Ordinary National Certificate
An Ordinary National Certificate is a further education qualification in the United Kingdom, awarded by BTEC. It is at Level 3, equivalent to A Levels....
(ONC) from Southall Technical College in 1969 when on day-release, then became an Industrial Management Consultant in 1977 for Harold Whitehead and Partners. From 1980-4, he was Director of Seafarer Navigation International Ltd (eventually bought by Standard Communications) in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, and from 1989–93, he was a non-executive Director of Bournemouth International Airport
Bournemouth Airport
Bournemouth Airport is an airport located north-northeast of Bournemouth, in southern England...
. From 1984-93, he was a Management Consultant. From 1997 to 2001, he worked for Harold Whitehead in Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
. He was a county councillor in Dorset from 1985-92.
Parliamentary career
In April 2005, Spink took out an anti-immigration advert in the local Yellow Advertiser newspaper reading "What bit of 'send them back' don't you understand Mr Blair?" His rival for the constituency, the Labour candidate Luke Akehurst, said: "This advertisement contains appalling comments that whip up racial tension and fear to win votes. It is reminiscent of the worse utterances of Enoch PowellEnoch Powell
John Enoch Powell, MBE was a British politician, classical scholar, poet, writer, and soldier. He served as a Conservative Party MP and Minister of Health . He attained most prominence in 1968, when he made the controversial Rivers of Blood speech in opposition to mass immigration from...
. The Tory leadership should disown it." Spink won the election, increasing his share of the vote by 3.7%.
On 12 March 2008, Spink announced to the UK House of Commons that he had resigned the Conservative Party Whip
Whip (politics)
A whip is an official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. Whips are a party's "enforcers", who typically offer inducements and threaten punishments for party members to ensure that they vote according to the official party policy...
due to "criminal and other irregularities" in his constituency. This announcement was later rebutted by the party chief whip Patrick McLoughlin
Patrick McLoughlin
Patrick Allen McLoughlin is a British Conservative Party politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1986, initially for West Derbyshire and since 2010 for its successor, the Derbyshire Dales constituency...
and they described the whip having been withdrawn from him.
On 21 April 2008, Bob Spink became the first member of Parliament for the United Kingdom Independence Party
United Kingdom Independence Party
The United Kingdom Independence Party is a eurosceptic and right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom. Whilst its primary goal is the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, the party has expanded beyond its single-issue image to develop a more comprehensive party platform.UKIP...
, saying that "positive and sensible co-operation with the EU does not require us to sell the British people down the river or to give our independence away". He later found himself at odds with his new-found colleagues over the issue of whether or not to extend the amount of time a suspect can be detained without charge from 28 to 42 days. He voted for the bill, but UKIP opposed it.
Following the arrest of Shadow Immigration Minister, Damian Green
Damian Green
Damian Howard Green is a British politician who has been the Conservative Member of Parliament for Ashford since 1997. He came to national prominence after being elected in his constituency. Before standing for parliament, Damian Green was Channel 4's business editor...
, and the searching of Green's House of Commons office on suspicion of "procuring misconduct in public office" for passing leaked Government documents to journalists, the House of Commons debated whether it was right that the police should be given access to an MP's office and to remove his computers and constituency correspondence. Spink voted with the Government, and against the position set out by the UKIP leadership, on both the Government's motion and an amendment tabled by backbench MPs. The amendment, which would have meant that the committee looking into whether correct procedures had been followed, was defeated by 4 votes.
In 2009 he tabled an Early Day Motion
Early day motion
An Early Day Motion , in the Westminster system, is a motion, expressed as a single sentence, tabled by Members of Parliament for debate "on an early day" . Controversial EDMs are not signed by Government Ministers, PPS or the Speaker of the House of Commons and very few are debated on the floor...
to ban the British Humanist Association
British Humanist Association
The British Humanist Association is an organisation of the United Kingdom which promotes Humanism and represents "people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs." The BHA is committed to secularism, human rights, democracy, egalitarianism and mutual respect...
atheist bus campaign posters from appearing on public transport.
He is opposed to abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
and supports reintroduction of capital punishment
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
. He is against research into animal chimera
Chimera (genetics)
A chimera or chimaera is a single organism that is composed of two or more different populations of genetically distinct cells that originated from different zygotes involved in sexual reproduction. If the different cells have emerged from the same zygote, the organism is called a mosaic...
s and refers to those involved in or supporting human bioengineering as "dark forces".
In the 2010 election, Spink lost in Castle Point to Rebecca Harris
Rebecca Harris
Rebecca Elizabeth Harris is a British Conservative Party politician who was elected at the 2010 general election as the Member of Parliament for Castle Point....
.
Personal life
He married Janet Barham; they have three sons and a daughter. They have since divorced.External links
- Bob Spink MP official site
- Guardian Unlimited Politics – Ask Aristotle: Bob Spink MP
- TheyWorkForYou.com – Bob Spink MP
- The Public Whip – Bob Spink MP voting record
- BBC News – Dr Bob Spink profile 30 March 2006
- Hansard debate 25 May 2006