| Philip Davies MP | |
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Member of Parliament
for Shipley |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 5 May 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Christopher Leslie |
|---|---|
| Majority | 422 (0.9%) |
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| Born | 5 January 1972 Doncaster, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse(s) | Gail Helmsley |
| Children | Two sons |
| Alma mater | University of Huddersfield |
| Website | www.philipdavies.me.uk |
Philip Andrew Davies (born 5 January 1972) is a British Conservative Party politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Shipley in West Yorkshire.
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Early life
Born in Doncaster, he was educated at the Old Swinford Hospital School, Stourbridge, and the University of Huddersfield where he was awarded a 2.1 BA Hons degree in History and Political Studies in 1993. He joined the Conservative Party in 1988. He became the manager of Marilyn Davies Bookmakers in 1990, and a cashier with Mark Jarvis Bookmakers in 1992 for a year until becoming a manager.[1]
In 1993 he was employed by Asda initially as a cashier, before commencing training as a customer services manager in 1995, becoming a deputy customer service manager in 1997; later in the same year he was appointed as a Customer Relations Project Manager. In 1999 he became the customer services project manager in Leeds, he left ASDA on his election to Westminster.
Parliamentary career
He unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary seat of Colne Valley at the 2001 general election and was defeated by the sitting Labour MP Kali Mountford by 4,639 votes. He was elected as an MP at the 2005 General Election for the seat of Shipley with a majority of 422 votes, removing the sitting Labour MP and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Constitutional Affairs Christopher Leslie. He made his maiden speech on 7 June 2005, where he remembered Titus Salt and the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saltaire. He also announced that he wanted to remain a backbencher and not to be a shadow spokesman or a minister, and that he wanted to feel able to speak for his constituents.[2]
Davies has called for complete withdrawal from the European Union, starting the Better Off Out campaign,[3] and campaigning at the Conservative Party Conference in 2005. According to the Yorkshire Post he was the first Conservative Party MP in the House of Commons to make such a call.[dubious ]
On 28 March 2007 the Bradford Telegraph and Argus reported that Davies urged Muslims in the whole country to fly the Union flag on mosques to show their unity and commitment to Britain.[4]
He is treasurer of the All Party Parliamentary Flag Group.[5]
Davies is also parliamentary spokesman for the Campaign Against Political Correctness.[6] In this context, it was revealed on 18 December 2009 that Davies had sent 19 letters to Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission since April 2008 in which he asked questions relating to race and sex discrimination.[7][8] Reportedly, the most recent letter asks: "Is it offensive to black up or not, particularly if you are impersonating a black person?" Davies enquiries: "why it is so offensive to black up your face, as I have never understood this".
Personal life
He married Deborah Gail Helmsley in July 1994 in Doncaster, whom he met at university. They have two sons (born April 2003, and May 2005), and live in Baildon.
His father is Peter Davies, who in 2009 was elected Mayor of Doncaster for the English Democrats Party.[9]
References
- ^ "Philip Davies: Electoral history and profile". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/person/5844/philip-davies. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
- ^ "Orders of the Day — Finance Bill". Hansard/TheyWorkForYou. 7 June 2005. http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2005-06-07a.1178.0. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
- ^ Wheeler, Brian (5 December 2006). "UKIP leader 'offered Tory seat'". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6209386.stm. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
- ^ "MP tells mosques to fly the flag". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 2007-03-28. http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/bradford/bradfordnews/display.var.1290126.0.mp_tells_mosques_to_fly_the_flag.php.
- ^ UK Parliament - Register of All Party Groups
- ^ "The phoney war on Christmas". The Guardian. 8 December 2006. http://www.guardian.co.uk/christmas2006/story/0,,1967367,00.html.url. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
- ^ Paul Owen "Philip Davies MP bombarded watchdog in 'political correctness' campaign", The Guardian, 18 December 2009
- ^ Andrew Hough "Philip Davies: Tory MP 'never understood' why blacking-up was offensive", Daily Telegraph, 19 December 2009
- ^ http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/election/Shock-message-for-Government-as.5341413.jp
External links
- Philip Davies MP Official Web site of Philip Davies MP
- Philip Davies MP biography at the site of the Conservative Party
- Guardian Unlimited Politics - Ask Aristotle: Philip Davies MP
- TheyWorkForYou.com - Philip Davies MP
- The Public Whip - Philip Davies MP voting record
- Shipley Conservatives
- Campaign Against Political Correctness For which Philip is 'Parliamentary Spokesman'
News items
- Tory MP bombarded watchdog in 'political correctness' campaign December 2009
- Tory MP asks:Is it ok to 'black up'? December 2009
- Metric martyr pardon in July 2007
- Conservative values in October 2006
- The EU in October 2006
- Political correctness in April 2006
- Radio 4 Theme in January 2006
- BBC Meet the MP December 2005
- PC silliness in December 2005
- Yorkshire MP calls for full EU withdrawal (6 October, 2005, Yorkshire Post)
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Christopher Leslie |
Member of Parliament for Shipley 2005–present |
Incumbent |
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