John Gunnell
Encyclopedia
William John Gunnell was a Labour Party
politician
in the United Kingdom
.
, and educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham
. He gained a BSc
in General Studies in 1955, and a PGCE
in 1958 from the University of Leeds
. As a conscientious objector
during National Service
he was a hospital porter at St Bartholomew's Hospital
, London. In the 1960s he was a highly esteemed chemistry teacher at the United Nations International School
in New York City
. From 1977 to 1988 he was a lecturer at the University of Leeds.
From 1977 to 1986 he was a councillor
on West Yorkshire
Metropolitan County Council, being the leader 1981-86. He was a councillor on Leeds City Council
1986-92.
he was returned as Member of Parliament
(MP) for Morley and Leeds South. That constituency was abolished at the 1997 election
, and he was re-elected for the new Morley and Rothwell constituency. At the 2001 election
he retired due to ill-health, and the seat was held for Labour by Colin Challen
.http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo010625/debtext/10625-23.htm#10625-23_spnew0
Gunnell died on 28 January 2008 in Wakefield
aged 74. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/john-gunnell-conscientious-labour-mp-who-fought-like-a-tiger-for-the-regions-776118.html
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in the United Kingdom
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...
.
Early life
He was born in BirminghamBirmingham
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...
, and educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham
King Edward's School, Birmingham
King Edward's School is an independent secondary school in Birmingham, England, founded by King Edward VI in 1552. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful schools in the country, according to...
. He gained a 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...
in General Studies in 1955, and a PGCE
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a one-year course in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for undergraduate degree holders that allows them to train to be a teacher....
in 1958 from the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
. As a conscientious objector
Conscientious objector
A conscientious objector is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, and/or religion....
during National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
he was a hospital porter at St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I...
, London. In the 1960s he was a highly esteemed chemistry teacher at the United Nations International School
United Nations International School
The United Nations International School is a private international school in New York City. It was founded in 1947 by families who worked for or were associated with the United Nations. The school was founded to provide an international education, while preserving its students' diverse cultural...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. From 1977 to 1988 he was a lecturer at the University of Leeds.
From 1977 to 1986 he was a councillor
Councillor
A councillor or councilor is a member of a local government council, such as a city council.Often in the United States, the title is councilman or councilwoman.-United Kingdom:...
on West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
Metropolitan County Council, being the leader 1981-86. He was a councillor on Leeds City Council
Leeds City Council
Leeds City Council is the local authority for the City of Leeds metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England.-History:The city council was established in 1974, with the first elections being held in advance in 1973...
1986-92.
Parliamentary career
At the 1992 electionUnited Kingdom general election, 1992
The United Kingdom general election of 1992 was held on 9 April 1992, and was the fourth consecutive victory for the Conservative Party. This election result was one of the biggest surprises in 20th Century politics, as polling leading up to the day of the election showed Labour under leader Neil...
he was returned as 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 Morley and Leeds South. That constituency was abolished at the 1997 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...
, and he was re-elected for the new Morley and Rothwell constituency. At the 2001 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...
he retired due to ill-health, and the seat was held for Labour by Colin Challen
Colin Challen
Colin Robert Challen is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Morley and Rothwell from 2001 until the constituency's abolition at the 2010 election.-Early life:...
.http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo010625/debtext/10625-23.htm#10625-23_spnew0
Personal life
He was married with three sons and one daughter.Gunnell died on 28 January 2008 in Wakefield
Wakefield
Wakefield is the main settlement and administrative centre of the City of Wakefield, a metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England. Located by the River Calder on the eastern edge of the Pennines, the urban area is and had a population of 76,886 in 2001....
aged 74. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/john-gunnell-conscientious-labour-mp-who-fought-like-a-tiger-for-the-regions-776118.html