Ian Taylor
Encyclopedia
Ian Colin Taylor MBE (born 18 April 1945) is a politician in the United Kingdom
. He was the Conservative Party
Member of Parliament
(MP) for Esher
from 1987 to 1997, and then for Esher and Walton from 1997 to 2010.
, Abbey Road, Coventry
. He studied at Keele University
, receiving a BA
(Hons) in Economics, Politics and Modern History in 1967. He then did research at the London School of Economics
. In 1969, he joined Hill Samuel
& Co. In 1971, he became the manager of the European Department at Stirling & Co. From 1975-8, he lived in Paris
. He worked as a Director for Mathercourt Securities Ltd from 1980-91. He is an Associate of the UK Society of Investment Professionals and a Liveryman
of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
.
from 1994 to 1997. He is an ally of Kenneth Clarke
, although in the 2005 Conservative leadership contest
he backed David Davis
.
Taylor is known for his pro-EU links (Chairman of the European Movement 2000-2004 and member of Britain in Europe council until 2005. He now chairs the Conservative Europe Group, formerly Conservative Group for Europe). These views are at odds now with his generally-Eurosceptic Conservative Party
.
He specialises in science and technology issues - he chairs the Conservative policy group on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. He is also on the IPPR Commission on National Security.
He is a keen supporter of fox hunting and shooting.
Since 1997, he has been a non-executive director of or adviser to various companies (see Register of Members' Interests). These now include Next Fifteen Communications plc, Petards Group plc, and Avanti Communications plc.
He is a member of the Advisory Council for the Campaign for Science and Engineering
.
for Best Individual Achievement. This was for his work in promoting UK space activity, including his position as co-chair of the Parliamentary Space Committee, and also for his efforts to promote the uptake of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in UK education.
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 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,...
(MP) for Esher
Esher (UK Parliament constituency)
Esher was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Members of Parliament:- Elections in the 1990s :...
from 1987 to 1997, and then for Esher and Walton from 1997 to 2010.
Early life
He went to Whitley Abbey SchoolWhitley Abbey Community School
Whitley Abbey Community School is a comprehensive school in Whitley, Coventry, England. It opened on 13 October 2000 and replaced the former Whitley Abbey Comprehensive School built in the 1950s, which was one of the first comprehensive schools in Coventry....
, Abbey Road, Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
. He studied at Keele University
Keele University
Keele University is a campus university near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, England. Founded in 1949 as an experimental college dedicated to a broad curriculum and interdisciplinary study, Keele is most notable for pioneering the dual honours degree in Britain...
, receiving a BA
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...
(Hons) in Economics, Politics and Modern History in 1967. He then did research at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
. In 1969, he joined Hill Samuel
Hill Samuel
Hill Samuel is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lloyds TSB's Offshore Private Banking unit. It was formerly a leading British merchant bank and financial services firm before the takeover by TSB Group Plc. in 1987, which itself merged with Lloyds Bank to become Lloyds TSB in 1995.-History:In 1832,...
& Co. In 1971, he became the manager of the European Department at Stirling & Co. From 1975-8, he lived in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. He worked as a Director for Mathercourt Securities Ltd from 1980-91. He is an Associate of the UK Society of Investment Professionals and a Liveryman
Liveryman
For Livery Companies in the City of London, a Liveryman is a full member of their respective Company.Livery Company members fall into two basic categories: Freemen and Liverymen. One may join as a Freeman, and thereby acquire the "Freedom of the Company", upon fulfilling the Company's criteria...
of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists , aka the Information Technologists' Company , is the 100th Livery Company of the City of London...
.
Political career
He served as Minister for Science and Technology under John MajorJohn Major
Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
from 1994 to 1997. He is an ally of 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...
, although in the 2005 Conservative leadership contest
Conservative Party (UK) leadership election, 2005
The 2005 Conservative leadership election was called by party leader Michael Howard on 6 May 2005, when he announced that he would be stepping down as leader in the near future. However, he stated that he would not depart until a review of the rules for the leadership election had been conducted,...
he backed David Davis
David Davis (British politician)
David Michael Davis is a British Conservative Party politician who is the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Haltemprice and Howden...
.
Taylor is known for his pro-EU links (Chairman of the European Movement 2000-2004 and member of Britain in Europe council until 2005. He now chairs the Conservative Europe Group, formerly Conservative Group for Europe). These views are at odds now with his generally-Eurosceptic 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...
.
He specialises in science and technology issues - he chairs the Conservative policy group on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. He is also on the IPPR Commission on National Security.
He is a keen supporter of fox hunting and shooting.
Since 1997, he has been a non-executive director of or adviser to various companies (see Register of Members' Interests). These now include Next Fifteen Communications plc, Petards Group plc, and Avanti Communications plc.
He is a member of the Advisory Council for the Campaign for Science and Engineering
Campaign for Science and Engineering
The Campaign for Science and Engineering is a non-profit organization which promotes science and engineering in the UK. It focuses on arguing for more research funding, promoting a high-tech and knowledge-based economy, highlighting the need for top-quality science and maths education at all...
.
Expenses
In 2009, Ian Taylor was not accused of wrongdoing in the expenses scandal that hurt several MPs. He had been claiming the maximum allowed for a second home allowance for a London home for four years between 2003 and 2008, even though his main residence was in Guildford - but this information had been public since 2005. The Daily Telegraph revealed that he had paid back £730 to the fees office for voluntary repayments to a builder and for overpayment of ground rentAward
In 2008 he was the winner of the Sir Arthur Clarke AwardSir Arthur Clarke Award
The Sir Arthur Clarke Award is a British award given in recognition of notable contributions to space exploration, particularly British achievements. It is owned by the Space Education Trust and is independent of and separate from . Founded in 2005, the awards are an annual event. They take place...
for Best Individual Achievement. This was for his work in promoting UK space activity, including his position as co-chair of the Parliamentary Space Committee, and also for his efforts to promote the uptake of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in UK education.
External links
- Ian Taylor MBE MP official site
- ePolitix.com - Ian Taylor MP
- Guardian Unlimited Politics - Ask Aristotle: Ian Taylor MP
- TheyWorkForYou.com - Ian Taylor MP
- The Public Whip - Ian Taylor MP voting record
- BBC News - Ian Taylor MP profile 15 February 2005