Karl Andrew Mennear
Encyclopedia
Karl Andrew Mennear has been a Conservative
councillor in the London Borough of Camden
in the United Kingdom
since 1998. He represents the Frognal and Fitzjohns ward, and during the LibDem-Conservative "temporary stewardship" of the borough, from 2006 to 2010, was executive member for schools.
He was the Conservative candidate for Hampstead and Highgate in the 2001 General Election
and then stood for Finchley and Golders Green in the 2005 General Election
. He came within one thousand votes of recapturing Finchley, the former seat of Margaret Thatcher
.
Mennear came to national prominence in January 2005 when he criticised a pre-released Labour poster campaign as being tasteless. The poster, which presented pictures of the heads of Michael Howard
and Oliver Letwin
superimposed on winged pigs, was withdrawn in February 2005. The controversy forms part of an ongoing struggle over political advertising which dates from the Conservative "demon eyes" poster of 1997.
Mennear was criticised by the gay rights group Stonewall
in December 2004, when he asked for a contribution to Camden
to cover costs incurred from the need to clean up Hampstead Heath
due to gay sexual encounters. He has been replaced as candidate for Finchley and Golders Green by Mike Freer, one of a number of openly gay Conservatives who have emerged as prospective MPs under new leader David Cameron
.
After Labour re-gained control of Camden council in May 2010, Mennear was replaced as schools chief by Heather Johnson. After the death of Martin Davies just a few months later, Mennear was chosen to replace him as Tory group leader.
He was educated at Whitley Bay High School, and proceeded to Oxford University.
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...
councillor in the London Borough of Camden
London Borough of Camden
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough were already developed and had a total population of 96,795. This continued to rise swiftly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 270,197 in the middle of the century...
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...
since 1998. He represents the Frognal and Fitzjohns ward, and during the LibDem-Conservative "temporary stewardship" of the borough, from 2006 to 2010, was executive member for schools.
He was the Conservative candidate for Hampstead and Highgate in 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...
and then stood for Finchley and Golders Green in 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....
. He came within one thousand votes of recapturing Finchley, the former seat of Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
.
Mennear came to national prominence in January 2005 when he criticised a pre-released Labour poster campaign as being tasteless. The poster, which presented pictures of the heads of Michael Howard
Michael Howard
Michael Howard, Baron Howard of Lympne, CH, QC, PC is a British politician, who served as the Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition from November 2003 to December 2005...
and Oliver Letwin
Oliver Letwin
Oliver Letwin MP FRSA is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he is currently the Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, and a Member of Parliament representing the constituency of West Dorset...
superimposed on winged pigs, was withdrawn in February 2005. The controversy forms part of an ongoing struggle over political advertising which dates from the Conservative "demon eyes" poster of 1997.
Mennear was criticised by the gay rights group Stonewall
Stonewall (UK)
Stonewall is a lesbian, gay and bisexual rights charity in the United Kingdom named after the Stonewall Inn of Stonewall riots fame. Now the largest gay equality organization not only in the UK but in Europe, it was formed in 1989 by political activists and others lobbying against section 28 of the...
in December 2004, when he asked for a contribution to Camden
London Borough of Camden
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough were already developed and had a total population of 96,795. This continued to rise swiftly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 270,197 in the middle of the century...
to cover costs incurred from the need to clean up Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is a large, ancient London park, covering . This grassy public space sits astride a sandy ridge, one of the highest points in London, running from Hampstead to Highgate, which rests on a band of London clay...
due to gay sexual encounters. He has been replaced as candidate for Finchley and Golders Green by Mike Freer, one of a number of openly gay Conservatives who have emerged as prospective MPs under new leader David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
.
After Labour re-gained control of Camden council in May 2010, Mennear was replaced as schools chief by Heather Johnson. After the death of Martin Davies just a few months later, Mennear was chosen to replace him as Tory group leader.
He was educated at Whitley Bay High School, and proceeded to Oxford University.