Tom Greatrex

Thomas James Greatrex[2] (born 30 September 1974) is a British Labour Co-op politician, who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Rutherglen and Hamilton West between 2010[3] and 2015 and the Shadow Energy Minister from 2011 to 2015.

Tom Greatrex
Greatrex in 2010
Shadow Minister for Energy
In office
7 October 2011 – 8 May 2015
LeaderEd Miliband
Preceded byHuw Irranca-Davies
Succeeded byBarry Gardiner
Shadow Minister for Scotland
In office
8 October 2010 – 7 October 2011
LeaderEd Miliband
Preceded byAnn McKechin
Succeeded byWillie Bain
Member of Parliament
for Rutherglen and Hamilton West
In office
6 May 2010 – 30 March 2015
Preceded byTommy McAvoy
Succeeded byMargaret Ferrier
Personal details
Born (1974-09-30) 30 September 1974
Ashford, Kent, England[1]
Political partyLabour Co-op
Spouse(s)Laura Orrock
Children2
Alma materLondon School of Economics
Websitetomgreatrex.org

In 2016 Greatrex became the CEO of the Nuclear Industry Association.

Early life

Greatrex was born in Ashford, Kent. Brought up in Tunbridge Wells, he attended The Judd School between 1986 and 1993, before studying Economics, Government and Law at the London School of Economics, graduating in 1996.

He lives in Cambuslang and is married, with twin daughters.[1]

Career

Greatrex worked as a researcher to Opposition Chief Whip Donald Dewar, prior to the 1997 General Election, remaining in the role after Nick Brown took over as Chief Whip, later moving with him to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 1998. He left this role in 1999 to work as a GMB Union official for five years. He moved to Scotland in 2004 to take on a role as a chief officer at East Dunbartonshire Council[4] then worked as Director of Corporate Affairs for NHS 24 between 2006 and 2007. He latterly worked as a policy adviser for Scottish Secretaries Douglas Alexander, Des Browne and Jim Murphy.[5]

Since 1 February 2016 Greatrex has been CEO of the Nuclear Industry Association.[6]

Political career

Selected as the Scottish Labour Party candidate for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, Greatrex was elected with a majority of 21,002 at the 2010 United Kingdom general election.[3]

He was the Shadow Under-Secretary of State for Scotland supporting Ann McKechin, Shadow Secretary State for Scotland until October 2011, when he was made Shadow Energy Minister.

As Shadow Energy Minister, Greatrex has criticised both sides of the debate over fracking, arguing that an "evidence-based" approach is needed and that whilst shale gas will not solve energy shortages in future, there might be some role for fracking under "strict regulation".[7][8]

He lost his Westminster seat to Margaret Ferrier of the Scottish National Party at the 2015 general election, she was elected with a majority of 9,975 votes.[9]

Political activities

Greatrex is a fierce and outspoken critic of the firm Atos, who conduct Work Capability Assessments of disabled people on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. On 17 May 2013, he gave an interview to the BBC about allegations made by a doctor employed by Atos that the tests are unfair and 'skewed against the claimant'.[10] In addition, he wrote in a letter to the Prime Minister that these were "serious and shocking allegations which must be urgently looked at".[11]

References
  1. Who's Who. Ukwhoswho.com. Retrieved on 27 August 2011.
  2. House of Commons Hansard Debates for 20 May 2010 (pt 0001). Publications.parliament.uk (20 May 2010). Retrieved on 27 August 2011.
  3. Labour holds Rutherglen and Hamilton West, BBC News, 7 May 2010
  4. About Tom Greatrex. Votetomgreatrex.org.uk (11 March 2011). Retrieved on 27 August 2011.
  5. Labour members choose Greatrex to stand at election, Rutherglen Reformer, 24 March 2010
  6. "NIA Biographies". Nuclear Industry Association. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  7. Greatrex, Tom (17 December 2013). "The champions and the opponents of fracking are both wrong on energy". New Statesman. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  8. Greatrex, Tom (24 September 2013). "Shale gas alone is not the answer – but neither is renewable energy". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  9. "Rutherglen & Hamilton West parliamentary constituency - Election 2017" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  10. "BBC News interview with Tom Greatrex. 17 May 2013".
  11. "atosvictimsgroup.co.uk". atosvictimsgroup.co.uk.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Tommy McAvoy		 Member of Parliament for Rutherglen & Hamilton West
2010–2015		 Succeeded by
Margaret Ferrier
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