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[[Category:Labour Members of Parliament]] |
[[Category:Labour Members of Parliament]] |
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<div class="column" style="margin 1em; float: left;"> |
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<div style= "margin: 1em;width:22em; border:3px solid #ddd;"> |
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{{Infobox MP |
{{Infobox MP |
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| name = Alan Whitehead |
| name = Alan Whitehead |
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| honorific-suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}} |
| honorific-suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}} |
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| office = |
| office = Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change |
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]] |
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| predecessor = [[Barry Gardiner]] |
| predecessor = [[Barry Gardiner]] |
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| successor = Incumbent |
| successor = Incumbent |
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| term_start = 8 October 2016 |
| term_start = 8 October 2016 |
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| term_end = |
| term_end = |
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| office1 = |
| office1 = Member of Parliament <br> for [[Southampton, Test]] |
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| parliament1 = |
| parliament1 = |
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| majority1 = 11,508 (24.6%) |
| majority1 = 11,508 (24.6%) |
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| predecessor1 = |
| predecessor1 = James Hill |
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| successor1 = Incumbent |
| successor1 = Incumbent |
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| term_start1 = 1 May 1997 |
| term_start1 = 1 May 1997 |
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| term_end1 = |
| term_end1 = |
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1950|09|15}} |
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1950|09|15}} |
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| birth_place = |
| birth_place = |
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| death_date = |
| death_date = |
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| death_place = |
| death_place = |
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| nationality = |
| nationality = |
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| spouse = |
| spouse = |
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| party = |
| party = |
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| relations = |
| relations = |
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| children = |
| children = |
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| residence = |
| residence = |
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| alma_mater = |
| alma_mater = |
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| occupation = |
| occupation = |
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| profession = |
| profession = |
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| religion = |
| religion = |
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| signature = |
| signature = |
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| website = |
| website = {{url|alan-whitehead.org.uk|Official website}} |
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| footnotes = |
| footnotes = |
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}} |
}} |
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</div> |
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| ⚫ | |||
</div> |
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==Early life== |
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He went to Isleworth Grammar School and then studied Politics and Philosophy at the [[University of Southampton]], was President of [[Southampton University Students' Union]] and holds a PhD in Political Science. From 1979–82 he was Director of OUTSET, then from 1983–92 he worked for BIIT, being Director, both being charities. Before becoming an MP, Whitehead was the Leader of [[Southampton City Council]] from 1984 to 1992 and a Professor of Public Policy at [[Southampton Solent University|Southampton Institute]].<ref name=BBC/> |
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| ⚫ | |||
==Personal life== |
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Whitehead married Sophie Wronska in 1979, and they have a son and daughter.<ref name=BBC>{{cite news|title=Vote 2001 candidates: Alan Whitehead|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/candidates/candidates/5/52808.stm|website=BBC News|accessdate=22 March 2017}}</ref> He is a member of the [[Saints Trust]] and plays in the UK parliamentary football team. After looking at the possibility of being the first MP to install a wind turbine installed on his constituency home roof in Highfield, Southampton, Whitehead installed a number of solar panels that were integrated into the roof. During the summer months, Whitehead says he sells electricity from this source back to the national grid.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} |
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==Career in Parliament== |
==Career in Parliament== |
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Whitehead stood for Parliament unsuccessfully for [[New Forest (UK Parliament constituency)|New Forest]] in [[United Kingdom general election, 1979|1979]]. He then stood three times for Southampton Test before finally gaining the seat in 1997. |
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* 1997–1999: Member of the Select Committee on Environment Transport and the Regions |
* 1997–1999: Member of the Select Committee on Environment Transport and the Regions |
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* 1999: Parliamentary Private Secretary to |
* 1999: Parliamentary Private Secretary to Baroness Blackstone, Minister for Higher and Post 16 Education |
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* June 2001 – May 2002: Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (responsible for local government, the regions and the Fire Service – Whitehead was the minister responsible for Health and Safety |
* June 2001 – May 2002: Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (responsible for local government, the regions and the Fire Service – Whitehead was the minister responsible for Health and Safety |
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Current committee memberships: |
===Current committee memberships:=== |
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* Member of the |
* Member of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee. |
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Other memberships |
===Other memberships:=== |
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*Chair of |
*Chair of PRASEG, the Associate Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group |
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*Co-Chair, |
*Co-Chair, Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Waste Group |
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*Executive Member, SERA - Labour's Environment Campaign |
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*Executive Member, [[Socialist Environment and Resources Association|SERA - Labour's Environment Campaign]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sera.org.uk/executive_committee|title=SERA’s 2016/17 Executive Committee|work=SERA - Labour's Environment Campaign|access-date=2017-06-20}}</ref> |
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*Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poland |
*Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poland |
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*Member, Associate Parliamentary Ports and Merchant Navy Group |
*Member, Associate Parliamentary Ports and Merchant Navy Group |
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*Member, Estonia All-Party Parliamentary Group |
*Member, Estonia All-Party Parliamentary Group |
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Whitehead voted against the |
Whitehead voted against the Iraq war on the basis of the mission not receiving endorsement from the UN. He lobbied for changes to the Government's Education White Paper. He does not support building new nuclear power stations, believing that nuclear is uneconomic. He voted in favour of ID cards and for a ban on fox hunting. |
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==Renewable energy politics== |
==Renewable energy politics== |
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Whitehead has lobbied for the increased use of |
Whitehead has lobbied for the increased use of sustainable energy sources, particularly microgeneration. He criticised the results of the Energy Review, and was the co-author of EDM 2204 which states 'the case for nuclear has not yet been made' and urges the government to 'recognise the enormous potential for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by energy efficiency and conservation, greater use of combined heat and power, and rapid investment in the full range of renewable technologies, including microgeneration.’ |
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As leader of |
As leader of Southampton City Council in 1986, Whitehead proposed that the city council take measures to become a 'self sustaining city' with regard to energy generation. One such measure was the conversion of Southampton Civic Centre to being heated by local reservoirs of geothermal energy. |
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Whitehead sits as a non-executive director of a non-profit making company called SSEL Ltd,{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} formed to deliver a [[Combined heat and power|Combined Heat and Power (CHP)]] project, which was partially funded by the Government as part of the regeneration of outer Shirley [https://web.archive.org/web/20060925043537/http://www.southampton.gov.uk/environment/energy/default.asp]. The CHP system recycles the by-product 'low grade heat' made during the electricity generation process and uses the by-product to heat water which is piped to local homes. This scheme has been criticised by the current Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Environment & Transport, Matthew Dean, for being unviable and the Council's involvement in the project has now ended.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} |
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Whitehead's Private Members Bill,<ref>{{cite web|title=Management of Energy in Buildings|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmbills/022/2006022.htm|publisher=House of Commons|accessdate=11 September 2013}}</ref> was 'talked out' by Conservative backbenchers in 2005, but many of the Bill's most important aspects were incorporated into the [[Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006]], sponsored by [[Mark Lazarowicz]] MP. |
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Whitehead's amendments to the bill{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} included: |
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* requiring better compliance of [[Building regulations in the United Kingdom|building regulations]] for [[Energy efficiency in British housing|energy efficiency]] |
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* the removal of [[planning permission]] for [[microgeneration]] in homes |
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* new regulations to ensure a minimum energy standard in new homes including microgeneration |
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Whitehead is an outspoken supporter of action on [[anthropogenic climate change]], and has called debate by members of parliament who reject the scientific view a "[[flat earth]] love-in".<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Sep 2013 : Column 238WH|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130910/halltext/130910h0001.htm#13091045000001|work=Debate on the Climate Change Act|publisher=House of Commons|accessdate=11 September 2013}}</ref> |
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==Houses in multiple occupancy== |
==Houses in multiple occupancy== |
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Due to the high concentration of |
Due to the high concentration of houses in multiple occupation in Southampton, in 2007 Whitehead proposed changing planning regulations which would mean a landlord would be required to apply for planning permission if they wanted to convert a family home into an HMO housing more than 4 people. The proposal is being considered as part of the government's current review of the private housing sector, which will report in October 2008. |
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==Pre-pay meters== |
==Pre-pay meters== |
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Whitehead is currently campaigning with the National Housing Federation to end the current pricing practice used by several energy companies which sees customers who pay for their electricity or gas via pre-pay meters pay more for the same amount of energy than customers who pay via direct debit. |
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de]] to be made mandatory. He voted for the Bill when [[Alan Johnson]], the new Education Secretary, accepted many of the alternative white paper's proposals. |
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"Ten per cent. of pre-pay electricity customers are in [[fuel poverty]] compared with only 3.5 per cent. of direct debit customers. In short, those who need affordable energy most pay far more for it than those who do not. What is worse, because of the nature of pre-payment, most of them are not aware of that fact." |
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==Education Bill 2006== |
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Along with fellow Labour MPs [[Estelle Morris]], [[John Denham (UK politician)|John Denham]] and [[Martin Salter]], Whitehead co-wrote the so-called alternative education white paper 'Shaping the Education Bill- Reaching for Consensus,' which criticised the weakening of the role of [[local education authority|local education authorities]] in the provision of education services and called for the [[schools admissions code]] to be made mandatory. He voted for the Bill when [[Alan Johnson]], the new Education Secretary, accepted many of the alternative white paper's proposals. |
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==Rebellions== |
==Rebellions== |
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Whitehead has rebelled against a government 3-line whip on the following issues: |
Whitehead has rebelled against a government 3-line whip on the following issues: |
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* The renewal of the |
* The renewal of the UK Trident programme |
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* The invasion of Iraq |
* The invasion of Iraq |
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Whitehead's rebellion against a government 3-line whip on Trident renewal is not surprising, given that archived documents have recently emerged showing that in 1982–83 Whitehead paid a subscription to Southampton CND.<ref>{{cite web |title=Title Unknown <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE --> |url=http://uk.geocities.com/synergy.editorial@btinternet.com/IMG_0335e.JPG |work= |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5kmFNLYXL?url=http://uk.geocities.com/synergy.editorial@btinternet.com/IMG_0335e.JPG |archivedate=25 October 2009 |deadurl=yes |df=dmy }}</ref> |
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Alan Whitehead was quoted by the Mail as comparing [[Gordon Brown]] to the former US President [[William Taft]], citing that both had lacked the "phwoarr" factor which is now seen as necessary to survive in today's political climate. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1021702/Brown-It-8217-s---suicide-pact.html]. |
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==World Cup 2006== |
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In June 2006 the UK Parliamentary Football Team ran a charity match in Portugal against the Portuguese Parliament, which coincided with part of the world cup. The match and the trip was sponsored by McDonald's as part of their Football in the Community Programme. The UKPFC was criticised for accepting McDonald's sponsorship by the BMA.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3813601.stm]</ref> Alan Whitehead, who at the time played in goal for the UKPFC, fully declared the sponsorship in his register of members interests.<ref>[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/070326/memi28.htm]</ref> He also pointed out the trip was part of a long-standing fundraising campaign between the UKPFC and McDonald's that raised over 20,000 euros for local charities.<ref>[http://archive.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/2004/6/17/27831.html]</ref> |
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==In Southampton== |
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He is a Fellow of the Institute of Waste Management, and member of the Board for The Environment Centre (Southampton) and Third Age Centre (Southampton). He is a |
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Latest revision as of 17:30, 6 July 2018
| Alan Whitehead MP | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change | |
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Assumed office 8 October 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Barry Gardiner |
| Member of Parliament for Southampton, Test | |
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Assumed office 1 May 1997 | |
| Preceded by | James Hill |
| Majority | 11,508 (24.6%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 September 1950 |
| Website | Official website |
Alan Patrick Vincent Whitehead (born 15 September 1950) has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Southampton, Test since 1997.
Career in Parliament
- 1997–1999: Member of the Select Committee on Environment Transport and the Regions
- 1999: Parliamentary Private Secretary to Baroness Blackstone, Minister for Higher and Post 16 Education
- June 2001 – May 2002: Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (responsible for local government, the regions and the Fire Service – Whitehead was the minister responsible for Health and Safety
Current committee memberships:
- Member of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee.
Other memberships:
- Chair of PRASEG, the Associate Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group
- Co-Chair, Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Waste Group
- Executive Member, SERA - Labour's Environment Campaign
- Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poland
- Member, Associate Parliamentary Ports and Merchant Navy Group
- Member, Group on Charitable Giving
- Member, Estonia All-Party Parliamentary Group
Whitehead voted against the Iraq war on the basis of the mission not receiving endorsement from the UN. He lobbied for changes to the Government's Education White Paper. He does not support building new nuclear power stations, believing that nuclear is uneconomic. He voted in favour of ID cards and for a ban on fox hunting.
Renewable energy politics
Whitehead has lobbied for the increased use of sustainable energy sources, particularly microgeneration. He criticised the results of the Energy Review, and was the co-author of EDM 2204 which states 'the case for nuclear has not yet been made' and urges the government to 'recognise the enormous potential for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by energy efficiency and conservation, greater use of combined heat and power, and rapid investment in the full range of renewable technologies, including microgeneration.’
As leader of Southampton City Council in 1986, Whitehead proposed that the city council take measures to become a 'self sustaining city' with regard to energy generation. One such measure was the conversion of Southampton Civic Centre to being heated by local reservoirs of geothermal energy.
Houses in multiple occupancy
Due to the high concentration of houses in multiple occupation in Southampton, in 2007 Whitehead proposed changing planning regulations which would mean a landlord would be required to apply for planning permission if they wanted to convert a family home into an HMO housing more than 4 people. The proposal is being considered as part of the government's current review of the private housing sector, which will report in October 2008.
Pre-pay meters
Whitehead is currently campaigning with the National Housing Federation to end the current pricing practice used by several energy companies which sees customers who pay for their electricity or gas via pre-pay meters pay more for the same amount of energy than customers who pay via direct debit. de]] to be made mandatory. He voted for the Bill when Alan Johnson, the new Education Secretary, accepted many of the alternative white paper's proposals.
Rebellions
Whitehead has rebelled against a government 3-line whip on the following issues:
- The renewal of the UK Trident programme
- The invasion of Iraq