Malcolm Harbour
Encyclopedia
Malcolm Harbour is a British
politician
. He is a Conservative
Member of the European Parliament
for the West Midlands
. He is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists
Group and the Chairman of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection
.
(1960–64), Trinity College, Cambridge
(1964–67) where he gained a BA in Mechanical Services, and at the University of Aston (1967–70) where he gained a Diploma in Management Studies. He began his career in the motor industry, working as an apprentice at the Longbridge plant
in Birmingham
(1967–69). From then until 1980 he held various posts in design, development and product planning in the Rover Triumph Division.
In 1980, Harbour became a director of Austin Rover with responsibilities for planning, sales and marketing. He co-founded Harbour Wade Brown, a motor industry consultancy, in 1989 and the International Car Distribution Programme Ltd in 1993, of which he remains a director. He was also briefly project director of the Three Day Car Programme (1998–99).
In 1997, he was named as one of the most 200 influential people in the world car industry.
in 1972. He first stood for the European Parliament
in 1989 in the constituency of Birmingham East
but failed to win election. He missed out again in 1994, before finally, in 1999, being placed high on the Conservative list for the new multi-memberWest Midlands region constituency
, ensuring his election in the 1999 European Parliament election. Initially a member of the European People's Party–European Democrats Group (EPP–ED) he gained an influential position on the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection
, serving as the EPP–ED spokesman and co-ordinator.
Harbour was also delegated several other responsibilities in the European Parliament.
He was Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Science Policy Panel (STOA), and a member of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee and the Inter-Parliamentary Delegation to Japan
. He is a co-chairman in Parliamentary Forums for the Automobile and Society, the Ceramics Industries, and the European Internet Foundation. He is also Chairman of the Conservative Technology Forum.
From 2004 to 2006, he played a determining role in steering the Services Directive
through the Parliament. He has also been active on the single market
strategy, communications framework legislation, type-approval of motor vehicles, and the digital economy.
On 13 January 2005, Harbour was appointed by the European Commission to 'Cars 21', a High Level Group convened to discuss the competitiveness in the European automobile industry. Harbour was one of two MEPs on this panel. Other members included Government Ministers, European Commission
ers, and the heads of major EU automotive firms. The goal of the group is to define the best possible regulatory approaches.
After the 2009 European Parliament election
, Harbour transferred to the new European Conservatives and Reformists
Group (ECR). He was nominated by the ECR and then subsequently elected as the chairman of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection, making him one of the most influential and powerful ECR MEPs.
In May 2006, he was named the UK's 'most small business friendly MP' by members of the Forum of Private Business
. He was nominated for this award again in 2007. His 2009 campaigns include well known efforts to save jobs and skills at Jaguar Landrover as well as involvement with other manufacturers across the region. As a result of his expertise in manufacturing industry and the automotive industry in particular he has been appointed as an advisor to the shadow Minister for Business, Kenneth Clarke
.
. His interests include travel, cooking, choral singing and motor racing.
until its ultimate rejection by the European Parliament
in July 2005. He has been characterised as a software patent extremist, since he favours permitting Program Claims, a view not shared by most other supporters of software patents.
Within the European Parliament, he is associated with the Campaign for Creativity
, a pro-software patent lobbyist group, in part because of unsolicited email sent from his address on behalf of that group.
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...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He is a Conservative
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 the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
for the West Midlands
West Midlands (European Parliament constituency)
West Midlands is a constituency of the European Parliament. For 2009 it elected 6 MEPs using the d'Hondt method of party-list proportional representation. The constituency will also elect a "virtual MEP" who will be able to sit in the Parliament if the Treaty of Lisbon comes into effect...
. He is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists
European Conservatives and Reformists
The European Conservatives and Reformists, abbreviated to ECR, is a conservative anti-federalist political group in the European Parliament. The group currently comprises 57 MEPs, making it the fourth-largest group in the European Parliament....
Group and the Chairman of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection
The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection is a committee of the European Parliament.- Work of the committee :The committee is responsible for:...
.
Motor industry
Malcolm Harbour was educated at Bedford SchoolBedford School
Bedford School is not to be confused with Bedford Modern School or Bedford High School or Old Bedford School in Bedford, TexasBedford School is an HMC independent school for boys located in the town of Bedford, England, United Kingdom...
(1960–64), Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
(1964–67) where he gained a BA in Mechanical Services, and at the University of Aston (1967–70) where he gained a Diploma in Management Studies. He began his career in the motor industry, working as an apprentice at the Longbridge plant
Longbridge plant
The Longbridge plant is an industrial complex situated in the Longbridge area of Birmingham, United Kingdom. It is currently owned by SAIC Group and is a manufacturing and research and development facility for its MG Motor subsidiary....
in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
(1967–69). From then until 1980 he held various posts in design, development and product planning in the Rover Triumph Division.
In 1980, Harbour became a director of Austin Rover with responsibilities for planning, sales and marketing. He co-founded Harbour Wade Brown, a motor industry consultancy, in 1989 and the International Car Distribution Programme Ltd in 1993, of which he remains a director. He was also briefly project director of the Three Day Car Programme (1998–99).
In 1997, he was named as one of the most 200 influential people in the world car industry.
European Parliament
Harbour became an active member of the Conservative PartyConservative 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...
in 1972. He first stood for the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
in 1989 in the constituency of Birmingham East
Birmingham East (European Parliament constituency)
Prior to its uniform adoption of proportional representation in 1999, the United Kingdom used first-past-the-post for the European elections in England, Scotland and Wales...
but failed to win election. He missed out again in 1994, before finally, in 1999, being placed high on the Conservative list for the new multi-memberWest Midlands region constituency
West Midlands (European Parliament constituency)
West Midlands is a constituency of the European Parliament. For 2009 it elected 6 MEPs using the d'Hondt method of party-list proportional representation. The constituency will also elect a "virtual MEP" who will be able to sit in the Parliament if the Treaty of Lisbon comes into effect...
, ensuring his election in the 1999 European Parliament election. Initially a member of the European People's Party–European Democrats Group (EPP–ED) he gained an influential position on the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection
The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection is a committee of the European Parliament.- Work of the committee :The committee is responsible for:...
, serving as the EPP–ED spokesman and co-ordinator.
Harbour was also delegated several other responsibilities in the European Parliament.
He was Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Science Policy Panel (STOA), and a member of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee and the Inter-Parliamentary Delegation to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. He is a co-chairman in Parliamentary Forums for the Automobile and Society, the Ceramics Industries, and the European Internet Foundation. He is also Chairman of the Conservative Technology Forum.
From 2004 to 2006, he played a determining role in steering the Services Directive
Directive on services in the internal market
The Directive on services in the internal market is an EU law aiming at establishing a single market for services within the European Union . Drafted under the leadership of the former European Commissioner for the Internal Market Frits Bolkestein, it has been popularly referred to by his name...
through the Parliament. He has also been active on the single market
Single market
A single market is a type of trade bloc which is composed of a free trade area with common policies on product regulation, and freedom of movement of the factors of production and of enterprise and services. The goal is that the movement of capital, labour, goods, and services between the members...
strategy, communications framework legislation, type-approval of motor vehicles, and the digital economy.
On 13 January 2005, Harbour was appointed by the European Commission to 'Cars 21', a High Level Group convened to discuss the competitiveness in the European automobile industry. Harbour was one of two MEPs on this panel. Other members included Government Ministers, European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
ers, and the heads of major EU automotive firms. The goal of the group is to define the best possible regulatory approaches.
After the 2009 European Parliament election
European Parliament election, 2009 (United Kingdom)
The European Parliament election was the United Kingdom's component of the 2009 European Parliament election, the voting for which was held on Thursday 4 June 2009, coinciding with the 2009 local elections in England. Most of the results of the election were announced on Sunday 7 June, after...
, Harbour transferred to the new European Conservatives and Reformists
European Conservatives and Reformists
The European Conservatives and Reformists, abbreviated to ECR, is a conservative anti-federalist political group in the European Parliament. The group currently comprises 57 MEPs, making it the fourth-largest group in the European Parliament....
Group (ECR). He was nominated by the ECR and then subsequently elected as the chairman of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection, making him one of the most influential and powerful ECR MEPs.
In May 2006, he was named the UK's 'most small business friendly MP' by members of the Forum of Private Business
Forum of Private Business
The Forum of Private Business or FPB is a UK-based membership organisation which campaigns for the interests of small and medium-sized businesses. A member-funded organisation, it offers practical business advice and help, as well as offering a range of products and services to help its members...
. He was nominated for this award again in 2007. His 2009 campaigns include well known efforts to save jobs and skills at Jaguar Landrover as well as involvement with other manufacturers across the region. As a result of his expertise in manufacturing industry and the automotive industry in particular he has been appointed as an advisor to the shadow Minister for Business, Kenneth Clarke
Kenneth Clarke
Kenneth Harry "Ken" Clarke, QC, MP is a British Conservative politician, currently Member of Parliament for Rushcliffe, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. He was first elected to Parliament in 1970; and appointed a minister in Edward Heath's government, in 1972, and is one of...
.
Personal life
Harbour married his wife, Penny, in 1969. He has two daughters, Louise and Katy, and two grandchildren. He lives in SolihullSolihull
Solihull is a town in the West Midlands of England with a population of 94,753. It is a part of the West Midlands conurbation and is located 9 miles southeast of Birmingham city centre...
. His interests include travel, cooking, choral singing and motor racing.
Views on software patents
Harbour is well known for his controversial pro-software patent views. He was one of the most outspoken supporters of the EU software patents directiveDirective on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions
The Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions , procedure number 2002/0047 was a proposal for a European Union directive aimed to harmonise national patent laws and practices concerning the granting of patents...
until its ultimate rejection by the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
in July 2005. He has been characterised as a software patent extremist, since he favours permitting Program Claims, a view not shared by most other supporters of software patents.
Within the European Parliament, he is associated with the Campaign for Creativity
Campaign for Creativity
The Campaign for Creativity was an organisation that lobbied in favour of software patents. It was operated by Campbell Gentry, a London-based public relations firm, which had previously lobbied in favour of biological patents in the EU....
, a pro-software patent lobbyist group, in part because of unsolicited email sent from his address on behalf of that group.
External links
- Profile on European Parliament website
- Detailed information on his work
- http://www.birminghampost.net/news/jaguar-land-rover-campaign/2009/01/06/malcolm-harbour-mep-for-the-west-midlands-on-his-support-for-jlr-65233-22634205/
- FFII view
- http://blog.ldv.com/blogs/ldvblog.nsf/dx/malcolm-harbour-mep-electric-maxus-test-drive.htm?opendocument&comments
- FFII UK Malcolm Harbour and software patentSoftware patentSoftware patent does not have a universally accepted definition. One definition suggested by the Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure is that a software patent is a "patent on any performance of a computer realised by means of a computer program".In 2005, the European Patent Office...
s - FFIIFFIIFFII may refer to:* Final Fantasy II, a video game* Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly, a video game* Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure, a non-profit organisation dedicated to establishing a free market in information technology...
on Malcolm Harbour - Malcolm Harbour — updated wiki page
- FFII UK Malcolm Harbour and software patent