James Cran

James Douglas Cran (born 28 January 1944) is a British former Conservative Party politician. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Beverley (1987–1997) and for Beverley and Holderness (1997–2005).

James Cran
Member of Parliament
for Beverley (1987–1997) and
Beverley and Holderness (1997–2005)
In office
12 June 1987 – 11 April 2005
Preceded byPatrick Wall
Succeeded byGraham Stuart
Personal details
Born (1944-01-28) 28 January 1944
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
NationalityBritish
Political partyConservative
Spouse(s)Penelope Barbara Wilson
ChildrenAlexandra Cran-McGreehin
ResidenceScottish Borders, Middlesex and Malta
Alma materUniversity of Aberdeen

Early life

He went to Ruthrieston School in Aberdeen and became the school's 1959 Dux Medallion winner.[1] He studied at the University of Aberdeen, gaining an Honours MA. He was the National Winner of the 1968 Daily Mirror Speaking Trophy.[2]

He was a researcher in Conservative Research Department during 1970–71 and was a member of the Leader of the Opposition's (Edward Heath) Briefing Team during the 1970 General Election. From 1971 to 1979, he was the Secretary and Chief Executive of the National Association of Pension Funds.[3][4] He was the CBI's Northern Director from 1979 to 1984[5] and the CBI's West Midlands Director from 1984 to 1987.[6][7] From 1974 to 1979, he was a councillor in the London Borough of Sutton, and served as Chairman of the Health and Housing Committee.[8]

Parliamentary career

Cran became MP for Beverley in 1987 taking over from Sir Patrick Wall. In 1997 he transferred to the constituency of Beverley and Holderness.

He was a member of the '92 Group of right-wing Conservative MPs and took an active part in the leadership contests involving John Major (June 1995), Michael Howard (1997) and the latter stages of William Hague's campaign (1997).[9][10]

He was a consistent opponent of the Maastricht Treaty and therefore of the single currency and closer European integration.[11]

He was also Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1995–96).[12] He was also present with the Secretary of State in Washington DC at the first meeting with Gerry Adams, then President of Sinn Féin. Cran was also Pairing Whip and then Assistant Chief Whip (1997–2001).[13] He was appointed Shadow Deputy Leader of the House by the then Leader of the Opposition Iain Duncan-Smith but resigned shortly thereafter to pursue other activities.[14][15] He was a member of a number of Select Committees: Trade and Industry (1987–92); Administration (1997–98); Selection (1998–2001); and Defence (2001–05). He was also a member of the Chairman of Ways and Means Panel (2001–05) and a member of the Council of Europe and the WEU (2001–02).[16]

Other Parliamentary activities included:

  • Vice Chairman, Conservative Backbench Northern Ireland Committee (1992–95)
  • Order of St John All Party Group (1994–95)
  • Secretary, Conservative Backbench Committee on Constitutional Affairs (1989–91)
  • European Affairs (1989–91)
  • All Party Anglo-Malta Group (1992–94) Co-founder
  • Parliamentary Group on Occupational Pensions (1992)
  • Member, Northern Ireland Grand Committee (1996–2001)
  • Treasurer, European Research Group (1994–97)
  • Member, '92 Group Steering Committee (2001–04)
  • Council Member, Pension Trustees Forum (1992–95)
  • Parliamentary Consultant, Lincoln National (UK) Plc (1994–98).

Personal life

He married Penelope Barbara Wilson of South Kensington in 1973. They have one daughter.

References
  • Who's Who 2005, A&C Black, London, 2005.
  • Diaries 1987–1992, Edwina Currie MP, 2002, ISBN 0 316 86024 7.
  1. Aberdeen Schools Dux Winners, Aberdeen Evening Express, 13 June 1959
  2. Winner National Speaking Competition, Aberdeen Evening Express, 9 May 1968
  3. Who's Who in Finance 1975-76 - Register of Professional Bodies and Financial Associations, Gower Press, ISBN 0 7161 0241 2
  4. NAPF Yearbook 1979, ISBN 0 905796 05 5
  5. One Thing After Another, Stan Crowther MP, 2005, ISBN 1 84104 106 8
  6. Yearbook and Who's Who, 1985, Coventry Evening Telegraph, ISBN 0 902464 19 1
  7. The Birmingham Post Yearbook and Who's Who, 1984-85
  8. Committee Chairman, Wallington and Carshalton Times, 30 April 1976
  9. Michael Portillo - The Future of the Right, Michael Gove, 1995, ISBN 1-85702 335 8
  10. Guilty Men - Conservative Decline and Fall 1992-97, Hywel Williams, 1998, ISBN 1-85410 581 7
  11. Cracking the Whip, Christopher Gill, 2012, ISBN 978 1 909099 06 7
  12. Mayhew Picks Cran as Aide, The Financial Times, 4 May 1995
  13. Parliament in the 21st Century, Edited by Nicholas D J Baldwin, ISBN 1 84275 103 4
  14. Two Tories Quit Tory Team, The Times, 18 October 2001
  15. The Spicer Diaries, Michael Spicer, 2012, page 466, ISBN 978-1-84954-238-8
  16. Annuaire de l'Assemblee, Avril 2002, Strasbourg
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Patrick Wall		 Member of Parliament for Beverley
1987–1997		 Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness
1997–2005		 Succeeded by
Graham Stuart
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