ABOUT LAURENCE

                             It has been my pleasure and privilege to have represented the constituency of Tewkesbury in Parliament since 1997.

In order to keep in close touch with what is going on in the constituency, I regularly visit factories, businesses, hospitals, schools, other organisations and individual constituents.

I have also taken part in, and led, a number of local campaigns, including the campaign to save Alderman Knight School from closure.

I have also fought against inappropriate development of the Green Belt, to save a ward at Tewkesbury Hospital, to try to stop the closure of Winchcombe Hospital, for more Lottery funding for the constituency and a host of other things.

In Parliament I have asked thousands of questions of Ministers on behalf of constituents, held a number of my own debates on various issues, and have taken a number of matters to the Prime Minister.

I will continue to work hard on behalf of all my constituents in whatever way I can, and wish to thank everyone for their continued support.

Background

I was born in Bolton in Lancashire in 1958. My father was a miner and he later became a milkman and then eventually bought his own small milk round. My mother was an office worker in Manchester.

Education

I attended St James C.E. Secondary School then Farnworth Grammar School. I started work at 18 and did day release for three years at Bolton Institute of Higher Education studying management. I later studied law by correspondence course.

Industrial Career

My first job at 18 involved loading lorries, sweeping floors and driving a fork-lift truck! I also carried out a number of organisational duties for the transport industry.

Mainly, though, I worked in the textile industry, eventually working in production and general management. I then became a consultant to the industry, working for over eighty different clients.

Charity Work

After many years of working in industry, I began to carry out public relations and event organising work, and then became a charity fundraiser.

Between 1994 and 1997, I raised over £1.25 million - a lot in those days! - to create a hostel and day centre, in London just off Marylebone Road, for homeless women.

This was under the auspices of Church Army, and it remains one of the most satisfying projects I have been involved in.

During those years, I organised two events with the late Princess Margaret as the Royal guest and at another, raised £50,000 in one night at 10 Downing Street, courtesy of John and Norma Major. I also ran the New York marathon in 1994 and raised £10,000 for the charity!

At the time, I also worked closely with the then Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey and his wife, Eileen.

Electoral History

I fought the constituency of Makerfield in 1987 and Ashfield in Nottinghamshire in 1992, before successfully contesting Tewkesbury in 1997. I have now lived in the constituency for thirteen years.

Commons career

Opposition Whip 2001-2003

Shadow Minister for:

Trade and Industry 2003

Economic Affairs 2003-2005

Northern Ireland 2005-

Outside interests

I don't get much time for anything other than work, but I do enjoy golf (member at Puckrup), watching horse racing and having runners in Point to Point racing. I am also interested in history and enjoy the countryside.