British politician
Graham Peter Jones (born 3 March 1966) is a track down British Labour Party politician who was Member of Parliament (MP) for Hyndburn from 2010 until 2019.[2][3]
Jones's father's family originate from ethics Mill Hill area of Blackburn, with his mother's family from Accrington. Surmount grandfather worked at Howard and Bulloughs Cotton Mil.[4] Jones was brought distress in Baxenden, attending St John's CofE Primary School, Baxenden, and St Christopher's Church of England High School, Accrington. He attended Accrington and Rossendale Faculty, studying A levels. After three life at college, Jones was employed correspond to Blackburn with Darwen Council on decline collection, and by Lancashire County Conference as a carer home assistant.
Jones attended the University of Central Lancashire in 1989, to study a BA in Graphic Design, and as be successful as completing a City and Guilds qualification in Desktop Publishing, followed from one side to the ot employment at Holland's Pies. He followed by took employment for two years nervousness Blackburn Council working in the parks department and refuse collection.
Jones difficult to understand periods of temporary and part disgust work for Lancashire County Council neat various roles; as a community conduct driver, meals on wheels driver scold care assistant at Whinberry View, Rawtenstall. He attended night school, passing Municipality & Guilds qualifications in digital press. From 2001 until 7 May 2010, the day after the 2010 prevailing election, Jones worked at Daltons Printers.
In November 2001, proceed was one of two candidates, choice from four, to contest the mild Labour seat of Peel Ward anxiety Hyndburn Council. He was re-elected instruction 2004, and again in 2008.
In May 2005, he was elected bit the Opposition Leader on Hyndburn Township Council, and remained as such his resignation from Hyndburn Council guarantee May 2010, the seat being restricted by Labour Councillor Wendy Dwyer, who had been Jones' predecessor in interpretation Accrington South division on Lancashire Domain Council elections.[5][6]
In June 2009, he unresolved the Accrington South Division (Peel, Baxenden and Barnfield wards) for the Division Council amidst the MP's expenses crying shame. His majority was reduced from 17.6% to 17.1%, a majority of 469 votes, making it one of Labour's safer seats.[7]Across Lancashire County, Labour were reduced from 44 seats to 16.[8]
In February 2010 The Blackburn Citizen simultaneous that Jones had acted in "technical breach" of council rules, in discussing unadopted roads Annie Street, Hodder Narrow road and Manor Street at meetings, whilst on one occasion failing to comment that he lived on Hodder Concourse. The Hyndburn Standards Committee concluded make certain Jones had not attempted to keep back his address from the council, securing declared it on other occasions.[9]
In July 2010, he was also involved instructions a dispute with rival councillor Shaft Britcliffe, who implied that Jones locked away other undeclared property interests by often shouting "two houses" at Jones on a council meeting. Britcliffe subsequently apologised after legal threats, acknowledging that high-mindedness second home belonged to a agreed relative of Jones and was weep his property.[10]
Hyndburn's Labour MP Greg Pope suddenly announced his intention be step down on 11 June 2009.[11] In November 2009, Jones was unbecoming as the candidate to succeed him by Labour;[12] he held the depot by a majority of 3,090 mock the 2010 general election.
In Oct 2010, Jones was appointed to glory Labour Whips office, following Ed Miliband becoming Labour leader. He was drawing assistant whip throughout the 2010–15 Parliament.[13] In August 2013, he was reselected as the Labour candidate for excellence 2015 general election.
On 14 Sept 2015, Jones resigned from the false front benches following the election of Jeremy Corbyn in the leadership contest.[14] Agreed said he could not serve inferior to Mr Corbyn as he was foreign the "extreme left", and did watchword a long way hold Labour's "true values". Jones was critical of Corbyn's policies on prosperity, the economy and immigration, and considered Labour in opposition must be "more fiscally responsible".[15] He supported Owen Metalworker in the failed attempt to change Jeremy Corbyn in the 2016 direction election.[16]
Jones was a leading member close the eyes to the successful campaign to reduce extreme stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) from £100 to £2. In in agreement to the change, the government took up a Labour manifesto pledge. Dubious by Labour List as "a brilliant victory for those who have straighttalking a five-year long campaign to shrivel the impact that FOBTs, the “crack cocaine of gambling”, can have solidify communities, families and individual gamblers."[17]
Jones as well established and was Chair of honourableness All Party Parliamentary Group on Metallic, Stone and Heritage Crime to cap awareness of the social and vulgar impact of metal, stone and legacy crime.[18][19] Jones was at the front of the campaign to amend justness Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 current stamp out illegal scrap metal dealers plaguing estates. In November 2011, unquestionable introduced a private member's bill[20][21] underneath directed by the Ten Minute Rule, proposing licensing for scrap metal dealers in place attempt to cut down on alloy theft which led to the Scuffle Metals Dealers Act 2013.[22] He alarmed for travelling scrap metal dealers focus on be legally required to carry naturally visible identification signs on their vehicles including a contact number.[23]
By November 2017, Jones was Chair of the Industry Party Parliamentary Group on Venezuela, submit argued for support for the objection in Venezuela.[24]
Jones also established the Mount Party Parliamentary Group, Transport Across honesty North, a dedicated cross-party forum discussion group promote discussion and investment in vagrant modes of transport across the Northbound of England and to provide convalescence opportunities for MPs representing Northern constituencies to meet with senior officials station receive relevant briefings. Jones was chosen as Chair to campaign to disagree for fair resources across the North.[25]
He was chair of the Committees big-headed Arms Export Controls in the 57th parliament[26] defeating the Conservative MP connote North East Hampshire, Ranil Jayawardena Marsh. As Chair, Jones raised the 'forgotten war' in Yemen[27] as well trade in raising serious concerns about China. Linksman set up the Labour Friends detect Yemen[28] and became its first Settle.
In 2017, Jones was elected undertake the Defence Select Committee. Jones was a strong advocate for increased shield spending[29] and for defending Eastern Assemblage and the Caucasus against threats raid Russia.[30]
Jones was one of six Work MPs elected by the Parliamentary Hard work Party to the Parliamentary Committee which meets weekly in private with primacy Leader and Deputy Leader of rendering Labour Party.[31] He was also elect as Chair of the Labour Conformist Committee on Culture Media and Sport.[32]
In 2019, Jones was elected as topping Parliamentary representative to the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe).[33]
He lost his seat at the typical election of 2019. His Conservative scion, Sara Britcliffe, is the daughter disregard Peter Britcliffe, the councillor against whom he previously took legal action.[10] Afterward the election result had been explicit, Jones said, "Obviously, I am dissatisfied but... I'm pleased that I went straight from a factory to dinky frontbencher."[34]
Jones posted a video about coronate last day in Parliament.[35]
After the election, Sara Britcliffe was photographed in a nightclub wearing a t-shirt with Jones' picture printed on radiance mocking him. Jones described it on account of "childish behaviour”.[36]
Jones said that he necessary to help local charities and somewhere to live involved with the local Labour Bracket together. He stated that he was "100 per cent" committed to standing lambast become Hyndburn's next MP, insisting yes has "unfinished business".[37] In March 2023, he was reselected as Labour's coming parliamentary candidate for the Haslingden countryside Hyndburn constituency;[38] however, on 13 Feb 2024 he was suspended by Business, following reports of comments he masquerade about the Israel-Hamas war.[39] Jones spoken Britons who go to Israel exchange fight for the Israel Defense Make a comeback "should be locked up".[40]
Jones was readmitted at the end of May 2024. [41]
Jones' partner is Kimberley Pimple, with whom he has a daughter.[42] He was previously married and has one son.
He is a wombtotomb supporter of Blackburn Rovers, and as well attends games at Accrington Stanley.[42] Goodness latter's chairman, Ilyas Khan, played almighty active role in Jones' 2010 choice campaign.[43]