Evan Harris
Encyclopedia
Evan Leslie Harris is a British Liberal Democrat
politician. He was the Member of Parliament
(MP) for Oxford West and Abingdon from 1997 to 2010, losing his seat in the 2010 general election by 176 votes to Conservative
Nicola Blackwood
.
, South Yorkshire
, the son of South Africa
n Jewish
parents (his father was a medical professor). He was brought up in Liverpool
, where he had a state education at the Liverpool Blue Coat School
. He won a scholarship to Harvard High School in California
in 1984, and later won a scholarship to Wadham College, Oxford
, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts
degree in physiology
and a diploma
in medical sociology
. He completed his education at the Oxford Medical School
where he received a Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery and qualified as a doctor
in 1991.
Harris began his career at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital
in 1991 as a Pre-Registration House Officer (junior doctor). A year later, he moved to the John Radcliffe Hospital
, Oxford
, specialising in acute medicine and surgery. In 1994 Harris moved to Oxfordshire Health Authority, becoming an honorary specialist registrar
in public health
and working on issues to do with NHS staffing and training. Harris held the position of local British Medical Association
representative and negotiator from 1992–1994, following which he was elected to the BMA
's National Council.
Harris is a humanist
, and is a Vice President of both the British Humanist Association
and Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association
. He was also a vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, before his defeat in the 2010 general election. In addition, he is an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society
, and the Patron of the Oxford Secular Society.
Harris was married, but was divorced in 1997. He was then in a relationship with Liz O'Hara, who died in 2003 from a glioblastoma multiforme
(brain tumour). Harris lists his interest as football, bridge and chess.
from 1985, he joined the newly formed Liberal Democrats in 1988. He was first elected to the House of Commons at the 1997 General Election
for Oxford West and Abingdon. The seat had previously been held by Conservative
John Patten
, a former Cabinet minister. Harris gained the seat for the Liberal Democrats with a majority of 6,285, making his maiden speech
on 21 May 1997, and remained the MP there until 2010.
spokesman on Health in 1997 by Paddy Ashdown
. Following the election of Charles Kennedy
as party leader in 1999, Harris became spokesman on Higher Education and Women's issues. He was promoted to the Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet
following the 2001 general election
as Shadow Secretary of State for Health
, but stood down in 2003 to care for his girlfriend Liz O'Hara who had been diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma multiforme
. Following the 2005 general election
, Harris returned to the frontbench team as spokesman on Science, a position he held until his defeat in the 2010 general election.
Harris was a member of the education and employment select committee between 1999 and 2001. He was then a member of the select committees for science and technology between 2003 and 2010, and for human rights
between 2005 and 2010.
Evan Harris is a member of the centre-left Beveridge Group
within the Liberal Democrats, and has been Honorary President of the 'Liberal Democrats for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Action' organisation (DELGA
) since 2000.
In parliament, he served on many all party groups, including the kidney group (as chairman); mental health; science; refugees; equality; and AIDS group.
, the auditor brought in by the House of Commons, wrote to Harris to say that there were no problems with his expenses.
Harris has also spoken in support of medical research involving animals, including that carried out at Oxford University. Notably, he joined Pro-Test
's Oxford march in February 2008. This led animal rights activist Keith Mann
to stand against Harris in the 2010 general election, during which he referred to Harris as "Dr Death".
Harris is a vocal backer of reform of defamation laws in the United Kingdom. He notably supported Simon Singh
in his libel case against the British Chiropractic Association
, saying "For every Simon Singh who wins there are hundreds of writers who never dare publish or who give up their legal battle because they cannot risk the cost of losing. That is why all the political parties must be held to their promises take action [to reform defamation law]". In 2009, Evan Harris was awarded (with Lord Avebury
) the National Secular Society
's Secularist of the Year
Award in recognition of his role in the abolition of the common law offence of blasphemous libel
.
This equated to a 6.9% swing from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservatives. Several political commentators commented that this was one of the most surprising results of the general election – given Harris' high profile position as a shadow minister and the size of his existing majority.
and Cristina Odone
.
In the final weeks of the 2010 campaign, leaflets were distributed by Keith Mann
, a candidate for the Animal Protection Party, attacking Harris as 'Dr. Death', and criticising him for his support for animal testing, abortion, secularisation, and other issues. Further leaflets were distributed by the unaffiliated Reverend Lynda Rose, also referring to Harris as 'Dr. Death', and criticising him for his secularism, support for abortion, embryo research and assisted suicide.
In contrast to these criticisms, Harris received support from a number of humanist and atheist figures, including Ben Goldacre
, Simon Singh
and Dave Gorman
. Stephen Fry
added his support, saying of Harris: "[Harris is] by far and away the most persuasive and impressive parliamentarian in the cause of good and open science and enquiry that we have had in the past decade. He has been central to mould-breaking and inspirational multiparty cooperation in issues of scientific concern since 1997."
had its boundaries changed, moving the central Oxford wards of Carfax
and Holywell
, composed primarily of students of the University of Oxford
, to the Oxford East
constituency. In return the constituency gained a ward each from Wantage
and Witney
. These changes reduced Harris' notional majority from 7683 to 5525 votes, or 11.3%.
However, Harris' defeat was also celebrated by some conservative Christians, including Christian Concern For Our Nation
, and George Pitcher
who described it as 'the best result of the election'.
The causes of the electoral result remain disputed. Richard Dawkins
, posting on his site, wondered whether the religious criticisms of Harris had "caused Evan Harris to lose votes" or "gain them", noting that the answer to this would reflect the true extent of secular thought in Britain. However, post-election analysis in the Oxford Mail
suggested that Harris' strident secular opinions appeared to have "alienated a sufficiently large percentage of the electorate to lose what was considered a relatively safe seat for the Liberal Democrats". It detailed that while the Liberal Democrats had nationally gained a 1% swing in their favour, in the Oxford West constituency there had been a 6.9% swing away from the party to the Conservatives. Although 2001 census figures show that Oxford had the 10th highest proportion of people in England & Wales who listed themselves as having no religion, the census also showed that 76.1% of those surveyed did not class themselves as having no religion.
.
On the 18 September 2010, Harris had an article published on The Guardian
website called 'A secularist manifesto'. This was in turn critiqued by Dr Jonathan Chaplin, who wrote that 'the manifesto contains troubling elements, which serve to undermine his professed support for the right to manifest religious belief.'
On the 17 November 2010, Evan Harris was elected as one of the three Vice-Chairs on the Liberal Democrat's Federal Policy Committee.
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
politician. He was the 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,...
(MP) for Oxford West and Abingdon from 1997 to 2010, losing his seat in the 2010 general election by 176 votes to 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...
Nicola Blackwood
Nicola Blackwood
Nicola Claire Blackwood is a Conservative Party politician. She was elected as Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon in the 2010 election.-Political career:...
.
Early life and career
Evan Harris was born in SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
, the son of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
parents (his father was a medical professor). He was brought up in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, where he had a state education at the Liverpool Blue Coat School
Liverpool Blue Coat School
The Liverpool Blue Coat School is a voluntary aided secondary school located in Wavertree, Liverpool and is Liverpool's only Grammar School. The school was for many years a boys' school but as of September 2002 it has reverted to its original coeducational remit.The Blue Coat School holds a...
. He won a scholarship to Harvard High School in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1984, and later won a scholarship to Wadham College, Oxford
Wadham College, Oxford
Wadham College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, located at the southern end of Parks Road in central Oxford. It was founded by Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham, wealthy Somerset landowners, during the reign of King James I...
, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
and a diploma
Diploma
A diploma is a certificate or deed issued by an educational institution, such as a university, that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study or confers an academic degree. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the word diploma refers to...
in medical sociology
Medical sociology
Medical sociology is the sociological analysis of medical organizations and institutions; the production of knowledges and selection of methods, the actions and interactions of healthcare professionals, and the social or cultural effects of medical practice...
. He completed his education at the Oxford Medical School
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
where he received a Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery and qualified as a doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
in 1991.
Harris began his career at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Royal Liverpool University Hospital
The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is a large teaching hospital in Liverpool, England. Along with Broadgreen Hospital, the hospital operates on behalf of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust and is associated with the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John...
in 1991 as a Pre-Registration House Officer (junior doctor). A year later, he moved to the John Radcliffe Hospital
John Radcliffe Hospital
The John Radcliffe Hospital is a large tertiary teaching hospital in Oxford, England.It is the main teaching hospital for Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University. As such, it is a well-developed centre of medical research. It also incorporates the Medical School of the University of Oxford....
, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, specialising in acute medicine and surgery. In 1994 Harris moved to Oxfordshire Health Authority, becoming an honorary specialist registrar
Specialist registrar
A Specialist Registrar or SpR is a doctor in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland who is receiving advanced training in a specialist field of medicine in order eventually to become a consultant...
in public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
and working on issues to do with NHS staffing and training. Harris held the position of local British Medical Association
British Medical Association
The British Medical Association is the professional association and registered trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom. The association does not regulate or certify doctors, a responsibility which lies with the General Medical Council. The association’s headquarters are located in BMA House,...
representative and negotiator from 1992–1994, following which he was elected to the BMA
British Medical Association
The British Medical Association is the professional association and registered trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom. The association does not regulate or certify doctors, a responsibility which lies with the General Medical Council. The association’s headquarters are located in BMA House,...
's National Council.
Harris is a humanist
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
, and is a Vice President of both 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...
and Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association
Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association
The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association is a democratic, membership-based, Humanist campaigning organisation that represents the many non-religious in the lesbian and gay community in the United Kingdom and beyond...
. He was also a vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, before his defeat in the 2010 general election. In addition, he is an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society
National Secular Society
The National Secular Society is a British campaigning organisation that promotes secularism and the separation of church and state. It holds that no-one should gain advantage or disadvantage because of their religion or lack of religion. It was founded by Charles Bradlaugh in 1866...
, and the Patron of the Oxford Secular Society.
Harris was married, but was divorced in 1997. He was then in a relationship with Liz O'Hara, who died in 2003 from a glioblastoma multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in humans, involving glial cells and accounting for 52% of all functional tissue brain tumor cases and 20% of all intracranial tumors. Despite being the most prevalent form of primary brain tumor, GBMs...
(brain tumour). Harris lists his interest as football, bridge and chess.
Election to Parliament
A member of the Social Democratic PartySocial Democratic Party (UK)
The Social Democratic Party was a political party in the United Kingdom that was created on 26 March 1981 and existed until 1988. It was founded by four senior Labour Party 'moderates', dubbed the 'Gang of Four': Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams...
from 1985, he joined the newly formed Liberal Democrats in 1988. He was first elected to the House of Commons at the 1997 General Election
United Kingdom general election, 1997
The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general...
for Oxford West and Abingdon. The seat had previously been held by 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...
John Patten
John Patten, Baron Patten
John Haggitt Charles Patten, Baron Patten, PC is a former Conservative Party Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons...
, a former Cabinet minister. Harris gained the seat for the Liberal Democrats with a majority of 6,285, making his maiden speech
Maiden speech
A maiden speech is the first speech given by a newly elected or appointed member of a legislature or parliament.Traditions surrounding maiden speeches vary from country to country...
on 21 May 1997, and remained the MP there until 2010.
Promotion to the frontbench
In parliament, he was made a frontbenchFrontbencher
In many parliaments and other similar assemblies, seating is typically arranged in banks or rows, with each political party or caucus grouped together. The spokespeople for each group will often sit at the front of their group, and are then known as being on the frontbench and are described as...
spokesman on Health in 1997 by Paddy Ashdown
Paddy Ashdown
Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC , usually known as Paddy Ashdown, is a British politician and diplomat....
. Following the election of Charles Kennedy
Charles Kennedy
Charles Peter Kennedy is a British Liberal Democrat politician, who led the Liberal Democrats from 9 August 1999 until 7 January 2006 and is currently a Member of Parliament for the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency....
as party leader in 1999, Harris became spokesman on Higher Education and Women's issues. He was promoted to the Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet
Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team
The Liberal Democrats are the third-largest political party in the United Kingdom. While in opposition, the Liberal Democrat leader appointed a team of Members of Parliament and Peers to speak for the party on different issues. Their areas of responsibility broadly corresponded to those of...
following the 2001 general election
United Kingdom general election, 2001
The United Kingdom general election, 2001 was held on Thursday 7 June 2001 to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. It was dubbed "the quiet landslide" by the media, as the Labour Party was re-elected with another landslide result and only suffered a net loss of 6 seats...
as Shadow Secretary of State for Health
Secretary of State for Health
Secretary of State for Health is a UK cabinet position responsible for the Department of Health.The first Boards of Health were created by Orders in Council dated 21 June, 14 November, and 21 November 1831. In 1848 a General Board of Health was created with the First Commissioner of Woods and...
, but stood down in 2003 to care for his girlfriend Liz O'Hara who had been diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in humans, involving glial cells and accounting for 52% of all functional tissue brain tumor cases and 20% of all intracranial tumors. Despite being the most prevalent form of primary brain tumor, GBMs...
. Following the 2005 general election
United Kingdom general election, 2005
The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 to elect 646 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party under Tony Blair won its third consecutive victory, but with a majority of 66, reduced from 160....
, Harris returned to the frontbench team as spokesman on Science, a position he held until his defeat in the 2010 general election.
Harris was a member of the education and employment select committee between 1999 and 2001. He was then a member of the select committees for science and technology between 2003 and 2010, and for human rights
Joint Committee on Human Rights
The Joint Committee on Human Rights is a select committee of both the House of Commons and House of Lords in the Parliament of the United Kingdom...
between 2005 and 2010.
Evan Harris is a member of the centre-left Beveridge Group
Beveridge Group
The Beveridge Group is a centre-left group within the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. It was set up in 2001 by MPs Alistair Carmichael, Paul Holmes, John Barrett and John Pugh to promote debate within the party regarding public service provision....
within the Liberal Democrats, and has been Honorary President of the 'Liberal Democrats for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Action' organisation (DELGA
Delga
LGBT+ Liberal Democrats is the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender & sexuality minorities equality group of the Liberal Democrats. DELGA was the original name when the organisation was formed...
) since 2000.
In parliament, he served on many all party groups, including the kidney group (as chairman); mental health; science; refugees; equality; and AIDS group.
Expenses
Harris was initially alleged to have profited from the sale of his second-home by the Telegraph during the expenses scandal. However, following Harris's response, the Telegraph withdrew their allegations. Sir Thomas LeggThomas Legg
Sir Thomas Stuart Legg, KCB, QC , is a senior former British civil servant, who was Permanent Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department and Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, United Kingdom, 1989-1998.-Biography:...
, the auditor brought in by the House of Commons, wrote to Harris to say that there were no problems with his expenses.
Campaigns
Harris is pro-choice on abortion, and supports the right of mentally competent, terminally-ill people to take their own lives under certain circumstances. This has led to criticism from pro-life and Church leaders, such as George Pitcher.Harris has also spoken in support of medical research involving animals, including that carried out at Oxford University. Notably, he joined Pro-Test
Pro-Test
Pro-Test is a British group that promotes and supports animal testing in medical research. It was founded on January 29, 2006 to counter SPEAK, an animal-rights campaign opposing the construction by Oxford University of a biomedical and animal-research facility, which SPEAK believes may include a...
's Oxford march in February 2008. This led animal rights activist Keith Mann
Keith Mann
Keith Mann is a British animal rights campaigner and writer, alleged by police in 2005 to be at the top of the Animal Liberation Front pyramid. He is the author of From Dusk 'til Dawn: An Insider's View of the Growth of the Animal Liberation Movement...
to stand against Harris in the 2010 general election, during which he referred to Harris as "Dr Death".
Harris is a vocal backer of reform of defamation laws in the United Kingdom. He notably supported Simon Singh
Simon Singh
Simon Lehna Singh, MBE is a British author who has specialised in writing about mathematical and scientific topics in an accessible manner....
in his libel case against the British Chiropractic Association
British Chiropractic Association
The British Chiropractic Association was founded in 1925 and represents over 50% of UK chiropractors. It is the largest and longest established association for chiropractors in the United Kingdom...
, saying "For every Simon Singh who wins there are hundreds of writers who never dare publish or who give up their legal battle because they cannot risk the cost of losing. That is why all the political parties must be held to their promises take action [to reform defamation law]". In 2009, Evan Harris was awarded (with Lord Avebury
Eric Lubbock, 4th Baron Avebury
Eric Reginald Lubbock, 4th Baron Avebury, PC is an English politician. A Liberal Member of Parliament from 1962 to 1970, he succeeded as Baron Avebury in 1971...
) the National Secular Society
National Secular Society
The National Secular Society is a British campaigning organisation that promotes secularism and the separation of church and state. It holds that no-one should gain advantage or disadvantage because of their religion or lack of religion. It was founded by Charles Bradlaugh in 1866...
's Secularist of the Year
Secularist of the Year
The Secularist of the Year award is presented annually to the individual considered to have made the greatest contribution to secularism in the previous year by the UK's National Secular Society. The prize is a cheque for £5000; it was first awarded in 2005, and is sponsored by Dr...
Award in recognition of his role in the abolition of the common law offence of blasphemous libel
Blasphemous libel
Blasphemous libel was originally an offence under the common law of England. It is an offence under the common law of Northern Ireland. It is a statutory offence in Canada and New Zealand...
.
Defeat in 2010 general election
In the 2010 general election, Harris was defeated by the Conservative candidate Nicola Blackwood. Harris gained 23,730 votes to Blackwood's 23,906 — a margin of 176 votes.This equated to a 6.9% swing from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservatives. Several political commentators commented that this was one of the most surprising results of the general election – given Harris' high profile position as a shadow minister and the size of his existing majority.
Pre-election campaign
For a number of years before the 2010 general election Harris' views on various social and theological matters had led to criticism within certain parts of the media. A Daily Mail article published on October 31, 2007 highlighted Harris' positions on social issues, castigating him as 'Dr. Death' for his "radical views on abortion, voluntary euthanasia, immigration and gay rights". The 'Dr. Death' term was subsequently used on numerous occasions, generally by Christian conservatives, in criticising Harris, including articles by Damian ThompsonDamian Thompson
Damian Thompson is a British journalist, author and blogger.Thompson was educated at Presentation College, Reading, and read history at Mansfield College, Oxford University. He received his Ph.D in the sociology of religion from the London School of Economics for a thesis on the management of...
and Cristina Odone
Cristina Odone
Cristina Patricia Odone is a journalist, editor, and writer living in the United Kingdom. She has written for several newspapers, and was formerly the editor of The Catholic Herald, and deputy editor of the New Statesman.- Career :...
.
In the final weeks of the 2010 campaign, leaflets were distributed by Keith Mann
Keith Mann
Keith Mann is a British animal rights campaigner and writer, alleged by police in 2005 to be at the top of the Animal Liberation Front pyramid. He is the author of From Dusk 'til Dawn: An Insider's View of the Growth of the Animal Liberation Movement...
, a candidate for the Animal Protection Party, attacking Harris as 'Dr. Death', and criticising him for his support for animal testing, abortion, secularisation, and other issues. Further leaflets were distributed by the unaffiliated Reverend Lynda Rose, also referring to Harris as 'Dr. Death', and criticising him for his secularism, support for abortion, embryo research and assisted suicide.
In contrast to these criticisms, Harris received support from a number of humanist and atheist figures, including Ben Goldacre
Ben Goldacre
Ben Michael Goldacre born 1974 is a British science writer, doctor and psychiatrist. He is the author of The Guardian newspaper's weekly Bad Science column and a book of the same title, published by Fourth Estate in September 2008....
, Simon Singh
Simon Singh
Simon Lehna Singh, MBE is a British author who has specialised in writing about mathematical and scientific topics in an accessible manner....
and Dave Gorman
Dave Gorman
David James Gorman is an English author, stand-up comedian and presenter. He has performed comedy shows on stage in which he tells stories of extreme adventures and presents the evidence to the audience in order to prove to them that they are true stories...
. Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry
Stephen John Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter and film director, and a director of Norwich City Football Club. He first came to attention in the 1981 Cambridge Footlights Revue presentation "The Cellar Tapes", which also...
added his support, saying of Harris: "[Harris is] by far and away the most persuasive and impressive parliamentarian in the cause of good and open science and enquiry that we have had in the past decade. He has been central to mould-breaking and inspirational multiparty cooperation in issues of scientific concern since 1997."
Boundary changes
Prior to the 2010 general election, Harris's seat of Oxford West and AbingdonOxford West and Abingdon
Oxford West and Abingdon is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election. Its best-known MP was John Patten...
had its boundaries changed, moving the central Oxford wards of Carfax
Carfax
Carfax may refer to: about car history.* Carfax , a website with vehicle history information* Carfax 250, a motor race* Carfax, Oxford, England* The centre of Horsham, West Sussex, England...
and Holywell
Holywell
Holywell is the fifth largest town in Flintshire, North Wales, lying to the west of the estuary of the River Dee.-History:The market town of Holywell takes its name from the St Winefride's Well, a holy well surrounded by a chapel...
, composed primarily of students of the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, to the Oxford East
Oxford East
Oxford East is a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election...
constituency. In return the constituency gained a ward each from Wantage
Wantage
Wantage is a market town and civil parish in the Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire, England. The town is on Letcombe Brook, about south-west of Abingdon and a similar distance west of Didcot....
and Witney
Witney
Witney is a town on the River Windrush, west of Oxford in Oxfordshire, England.The place-name 'Witney' is first attested in a Saxon charter of 969 as 'Wyttannige'; it appears as 'Witenie' in the Domesday Book of 1086. The name means 'Witta's island'....
. These changes reduced Harris' notional majority from 7683 to 5525 votes, or 11.3%.
Reactions to election defeat
Responses to the election result varied. Harris' defeat was lamented by a number of commentators as a 'loss for science'.However, Harris' defeat was also celebrated by some conservative Christians, including Christian Concern For Our Nation
Christian Concern For Our Nation
Christian Concern is the trading name of CCFON Ltd, a Christian organisation in the United Kingdom which seeks to introduce a 'Christian voice' into law, the media and Government...
, and George Pitcher
George Pitcher
George Pitcher is a journalist, author, public relations pioneer and an Anglican priest. He was appointed in October 2010 and left the post a year later. Previously, he was Religion Editor of Telegraph Media from May 2008 and wrote a regular column and occasional leaders for the Daily Telegraph...
who described it as 'the best result of the election'.
The causes of the electoral result remain disputed. Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins
Clinton Richard Dawkins, FRS, FRSL , known as Richard Dawkins, is a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author...
, posting on his site, wondered whether the religious criticisms of Harris had "caused Evan Harris to lose votes" or "gain them", noting that the answer to this would reflect the true extent of secular thought in Britain. However, post-election analysis in the Oxford Mail
Oxford Mail
Oxford Mail is a daily tabloid newspaper in Oxford, England owned by Newsquest. It is published six days a week. It is a sister paper to the weekly tabloid The Oxford Times.-History:...
suggested that Harris' strident secular opinions appeared to have "alienated a sufficiently large percentage of the electorate to lose what was considered a relatively safe seat for the Liberal Democrats". It detailed that while the Liberal Democrats had nationally gained a 1% swing in their favour, in the Oxford West constituency there had been a 6.9% swing away from the party to the Conservatives. Although 2001 census figures show that Oxford had the 10th highest proportion of people in England & Wales who listed themselves as having no religion, the census also showed that 76.1% of those surveyed did not class themselves as having no religion.
Career post 2010 general election defeat
From August 2010 Harris has been writing a blog on science policy for The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
.
On the 18 September 2010, Harris had an article published on The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
website called 'A secularist manifesto'. This was in turn critiqued by Dr Jonathan Chaplin, who wrote that 'the manifesto contains troubling elements, which serve to undermine his professed support for the right to manifest religious belief.'
On the 17 November 2010, Evan Harris was elected as one of the three Vice-Chairs on the Liberal Democrat's Federal Policy Committee.
External links
- Column archive at The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
- Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrats
- Liberal Democrats