Paul Holmes (Liberal Democrat politician)
Paul Robert Holmes (born 16 January 1957, Sheffield) is a politician in the United Kingdom. He is Liberal Democrat parliamentary party chairman and Member of Parliament for Chesterfield, Tony Benn's old seat, and was first elected in 2001. Prior to entering parliament, Holmes was a teacher.
His election as chairman of the parliamentary party in 2005 was a surprise to many, since it came at the expense of incumbant chairman Matthew Taylor (a close friend of Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy). Commentators have since attributed the result to disatisfaction with some elements of Kennedy's leadership and a belief amongst MPs that the role of party chairman should be more that of a backbenchers' shop steward and less under the influence of the leadership.
Holmes supported Simon Hughes in the leadership election following Paddy Ashdown's retirement in 1999. At the 2005 party conference, he voted against plans by the leadership to support capping the European Union budget at 1% of GDP and to privatise the post office (and was on the winning side in both votes). However, he publicly declared himself to be in full support of Kennedy's leadership following rumours that Hughes was planning a leadership challenge.[1]
Paul Holmes is a founding member of the centre-left Beveridge Group within the Liberal Democrats. He is also an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society.
See also
External links
- Paul Holmes MP official site
- Paul Holmes MP profile at the site of Liberal Democrats
- ePolitix.com - Paul Holmes
- Guardian Unlimited Politics - Ask Aristotle: Paul Holmes MP
- TheyWorkForYou.com - Paul Holmes MP
- The Public Whip - Paul Holmes MP voting record
- BBC News - Paul Holmes profile 10 February, 2005
- BBC News - New Lib Dem chairman Interview of Paul Holmes 14 July, 2005
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