Richard Bacon (politician)
Encyclopedia
Richard Michael Bacon is a British
Conservative Party
politician
and the Member of Parliament
(MP) for the South Norfolk
constituency.
and at the London School of Economics and Political Science, gaining a First
in politics and economics. He was also executive editor of the student newspaper, The Beaver
.
He worked variously in investment banking, financial journalism and public relations consultancy, before setting up his own business advising blue chip international companies on communications.
Bacon joined the Conservative Party in 1978. He contested the safe Labour
seat of Vauxhall
at the 1997 general election
, finishing third.
Minister, John MacGregor. He won the seat at the 2001 general election
, and was returned again at the 2005 general election
with an increased majority.
Though he rarely rebels against the party line, he was one of only 15 Conservative MPs to vote against the 2003 invasion of Iraq
in March of that year. In May 2009 he was also one of the 15 MPs to sign the Motion of No Confidence in Speaker Martin http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5344495/Speaker-Michael-Martin-sorry-but-refuses-to-resign.html.
He has also voted against the anti-terror laws, top-up fees, foundation hospitals, and the ban on fox hunting
, and was one of the few Conservatives to support the Impeach Blair campaign
. He is also sceptical about aspects of the climate change debate, having opposed plans to build new wind turbines in South Norfolk, claiming the scheme was not viable for the area.
Bacon is a member of the Public Accounts Committee, and has taken a particular interest in the nature and causes of overspending, delays and failures with Government IT projects.
In February 2007 Bacon was alleged to be the politician with the highest expenditure on taxi and car hire during the previous year, a claim which he disputed and referred to the National Audit Office
.
officials concerning the fate of failed asylum seekers
released from prison led to a major embarrassment for the Labour administration in the run-up to the local elections
the following month, and the dismissal of Charles Clarke
, the Home Secretary
. However, Bacon was not actually himself in favour of the sacking of Clarke, a fellow Norfolk
MP, declaring that he had always liked him, and that his questioning had been "business, not pleasure".
In July 2006, Bacon was named "Backbencher of the Year" by his fellow MPs for the result of his efforts, and in November 2006, he won three more awards: "Parliamentarian of the Year" from the Spectator
magazine, "Politician of the Year" from the Political Studies Association
and "Outstanding Parliamentarian of the Year” from the ConservativeHome
website.
, and has two children. He also has a sister, Fiona Bacon, a psychiatric social worker.
.
In May 2009, it was reported that Bacon used his Parliamentary expenses to claim £258 for two framed prints of Rome, £294.30 for nine cushions and £1,547.20 for curtains.
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...
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...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and 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 the South Norfolk
South Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)
South Norfolk is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. From 1868 until 1885 it returned two members but thereafter elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election....
constituency.
Early life
Bacon was educated at The King's School, WorcesterThe King's School, Worcester
The King's School, Worcester is an English independent school refounded by Henry VIII in 1541. It occupies a site adjacent to Worcester Cathedral on the banks of the River Severn in the centre of the city of Worcester...
and at the London School of Economics and Political Science, gaining a First
British undergraduate degree classification
The British undergraduate degree classification system is a grading scheme for undergraduate degrees in the United Kingdom...
in politics and economics. He was also executive editor of the student newspaper, The Beaver
The Beaver
The Beaver is the weekly newspaper of the London School of Economics Students' Union at the LSE.Despite being published by the Students' Union, The Beaver is independent in its reporting....
.
He worked variously in investment banking, financial journalism and public relations consultancy, before setting up his own business advising blue chip international companies on communications.
Bacon joined the Conservative Party in 1978. He contested the safe Labour
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...
seat of Vauxhall
Vauxhall (UK Parliament constituency)
-Elections in the 1980s:-Elections in the 1970s:-Elections in the 1960s:-Notes and references:...
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...
, finishing third.
Parliamentary career
Bacon was selected for the very safe Conservative seat of South Norfolk on the retirement of its veteran MP and former CabinetCabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
Minister, John MacGregor. He won the seat at 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 was returned again at 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....
with an increased majority.
Though he rarely rebels against the party line, he was one of only 15 Conservative MPs to vote against the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
in March of that year. In May 2009 he was also one of the 15 MPs to sign the Motion of No Confidence in Speaker Martin http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5344495/Speaker-Michael-Martin-sorry-but-refuses-to-resign.html.
He has also voted against the anti-terror laws, top-up fees, foundation hospitals, and the ban on fox hunting
Fox hunting
Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking, chase, and sometimes killing of a fox, traditionally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds, and a group of followers led by a master of foxhounds, who follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.Fox hunting originated in its current...
, and was one of the few Conservatives to support the Impeach Blair campaign
Impeach Blair campaign
On 26 August 2004, a cross-party group of British MPs announced their campaign to impeach the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the time, Tony Blair for high crimes and misdemeanours.A campaign to impeach the US President, George W...
. He is also sceptical about aspects of the climate change debate, having opposed plans to build new wind turbines in South Norfolk, claiming the scheme was not viable for the area.
Bacon is a member of the Public Accounts Committee, and has taken a particular interest in the nature and causes of overspending, delays and failures with Government IT projects.
In February 2007 Bacon was alleged to be the politician with the highest expenditure on taxi and car hire during the previous year, a claim which he disputed and referred to the National Audit Office
National Audit Office (United Kingdom)
The National Audit Office is an independent Parliamentary body in the United Kingdom which is responsible for auditing central government departments, government agencies and non-departmental public bodies...
.
Deporting foreign prisoners
In April 2006 Bacon's questioning of Home OfficeHome Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
officials concerning the fate of failed asylum seekers
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
released from prison led to a major embarrassment for the Labour administration in the run-up to the local elections
United Kingdom local elections, 2006
Local government elections took place in England on Thursday 4 May 2006. Polling stations were open between 7:00 and 22:00.All London borough council seats were up for election, as well as a third of the seats on each of the metropolitan borough councils, and a third of some unitary authorities...
the following month, and the dismissal of Charles Clarke
Charles Clarke
Charles Rodway Clarke is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Norwich South from 1997 until 2010, and served as Home Secretary from December 2004 until May 2006.-Early life:...
, the Home Secretary
Home Secretary
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the Home Office of the United Kingdom, and one of the country's four Great Offices of State...
. However, Bacon was not actually himself in favour of the sacking of Clarke, a fellow Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
MP, declaring that he had always liked him, and that his questioning had been "business, not pleasure".
In July 2006, Bacon was named "Backbencher of the Year" by his fellow MPs for the result of his efforts, and in November 2006, he won three more awards: "Parliamentarian of the Year" from the Spectator
The Spectator
The Spectator is a weekly British magazine first published on 6 July 1828. It is currently owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who also owns The Daily Telegraph. Its principal subject areas are politics and culture...
magazine, "Politician of the Year" from the Political Studies Association
Political Studies Association
The Political Studies Association of the United Kingdom is an association of political scientists that exists to develop and promote the study of politics in the United Kingdom...
and "Outstanding Parliamentarian of the Year” from the ConservativeHome
ConservativeHome
Conservative Home is a British political website started by Tim Montgomerie prior to the 2005 United Kingdom general election campaign, that aims to represent UK grassroots Conservative opinion.-Editors:...
website.
Personal life
Bacon was married to Victoria Panton in 2006 at St Margaret's Church, WestminsterSt. Margaret's, Westminster
The Anglican church of St. Margaret, Westminster Abbey is situated in the grounds of Westminster Abbey on Parliament Square, and is the parish church of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom in London...
, and has two children. He also has a sister, Fiona Bacon, a psychiatric social worker.
Expenses controversy
In February 2007 Bacon was alleged to be the politician with the highest expenditure on taxi and car hire during the previous year, a claim which he disputed and referred to the National Audit OfficeNational Audit Office (United Kingdom)
The National Audit Office is an independent Parliamentary body in the United Kingdom which is responsible for auditing central government departments, government agencies and non-departmental public bodies...
.
In May 2009, it was reported that Bacon used his Parliamentary expenses to claim £258 for two framed prints of Rome, £294.30 for nine cushions and £1,547.20 for curtains.
External links
- Richard Bacon MP official constituency website
- Richard Bacon MP Conservative Party profile
- South Norfolk Conservatives
- Richard Bacon MP at Open Rights GroupOpen Rights GroupThe Open Rights Group is a UK-based organisation that works to preserve digital rights and freedoms by campaigning on digital rights issues, acting as a media clearinghouse service putting journalists in touch with experts, and by fostering a community of grassroots activists...