Gareth Thomas
Gareth Thomas was born in 1967 close to his Harrow constituency. He gained an economics degree from Aberystwyth then later studied history at King’s College, London and qualified as a teacher at Greenwich University. He was a councillor in Harrow for seven years, and Labour group whip. In his maiden speech to the House of Commons he stressed that he had lived in Harrow all his life, and urged action on crime, housing and health.
In May 2010 he was re-elected as Member of Parliament for Harrow West with an increased majority. He now serves as the Shadow Minister for Higher Education and Science.
Representing London on the Co-operative Party NEC, he has been Chair of the Party since 2000, is a member of the Fabian Society, and has written on social responsibility and a low-carbon economy.
His hobbies include running, rugby union and supporting Harrow Borough Football Club, Wealdstone Football Club and Arsenal Football Club.
Listed among: Members of Parliament, NEC Members
- Co-operative Party says ‘Co-ops Act’ is welcome but could go further (19 Jan 2012)The Co-operative Party has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a Co-operatives Act but says it needs to include new initiatives to boost the co-operative sector. David Cameron spoke in London today about ‘responsible capitalism’, including the announcement of a new co-operatives act to consolidate existing laws. Co-operative Party activists and MPs were responsible for championing [...]
- Government guts Big Society Bill – and cuts the staff in charge (19 Oct 2011)A Conservative Backbencher’s Bill to promote social enterprise is being substantially re-written, with key clauses that force Government and Local Authorities to develop strategies to promote social enterprises set to be axed. Meanwhile, Ministers have taken the highly unusual step of seeking to change the name of the Bill, deleting all references to social enterprises. [...]
- Gareth Thomas addresses Labour Party Conference (11 Oct 2011)Gareth Thomas MP, Chair of the Co-operative Party, gave fraternal greetings on behalf of our movement to the Labour Party Annual Conference in Liverpool last month. You can now watch his speech below. Share this:Email
- Twigg to Education, Thomas now Shadow Minister for Co-ops (10 Oct 2011)Several Co-operative MPs, including some elected to Parliament in 2010, have featured prominently in Ed Miliband’s reshuffle of the shadow frontbench team over the weekend. Joining Ed Balls MP and Lord Steve Bassam in Shadow Cabinet will be Stephen Twigg, Labour & Co-operative MP for Liverpool West Derby since 2010 and now Shadow Education Secretary. [...]
- The co-operative week in Westminster (16 Sep 2011)Parliamentary Officer Joe Fortune rounds up the latest from Parliament with the work of Co-operative Parliamentarians. This regular column will briefly round up some of the important or noteworthy pieces of Parliamentary activity and business for co-operators each week. It will highlight the work being done by Co-operative Party MPs and co-operators in Westminster. Of [...]
- Gareth Thomas MP: Our Party’s ideas are more vital than ever (9 Sep 2011)The Co-operative Party truly has gone from strength to strength in recent years. Our membership is increasing; our parliamentary representation remains very strong (29 Labour Co-operative MPs) and our policies are resonating – more than twenty five were included in the 2010 Labour manifesto. We even have a great new website. The reasons for this success [...]
- Vale David Taylor, a great Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament (2 Jan 2010)Gareth Thomas MP, Chair of the Co-operative Party, pays tribute to the late David Taylor My Parliamentary colleague David Taylor died suddenly and tragically of a heart attack on Boxing Day, having served as the Labour and Co-operative MP for Leicestershire North West for 12 years. In that time he developed a well deserved reputation [...]
- Gareth Thomas: An idea whose time has come back (11 Sep 2009)This year, as I join with my Co-operative Party colleagues for our Annual Conference in Edinburgh, I think we can truly say that there has never been a time when the co-operative and mutual ideal has been more important. A number of our largest banks have been found wanting, at a great cost to us [...]
- Gareth Thomas: A co-operative future for Labour (10 Sep 2010)On one level the Co-operative Party has had a good year. Despite difficult electoral circumstances, Labour’s sister party returned 28 MPs to the House of Commons on the 6th May. It secured important private members legislation to promote the co-operative business model and no fewer than 24 of our policy ideas were incorporated into the [...]
- [Mr Graham Brady in the Chair] — Rural Bank Closures (21 Feb 2012)Gareth Thomas: The hon. Gentleman is describing Presteigne, which sounds almost as beautiful and wonderful as north Harrow in my constituency. That area has also lost its last bank branch, which is impacting on businesses. Does he think that it is incumbent on the Government, perhaps through the Minister, to convene a summit of the big banks and demand that where a bank branch is the last in a community,...
- Written Answers — Treasury: Crown Estate Commissioners (21 Feb 2012)Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the Crown Estate's role in promoting (a) the big society, (b) volunteering and (c) other community and social action programmes; and if he will make a statement.
- Written Answers — Justice: Departmental Procurement (21 Feb 2012)Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what proportion of the total value of contracts issued or to be issued by his Department in 2011-12 have required successful organisations to put up a capital bond; and if he will make a statement; (2) which contracts his Department has tendered or will tender in 2011-12 which require successful organisations to have a capital bond of more than...
- Written Answers — Treasury: Crown Estate Commissioners (21 Feb 2012)Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which London boroughs the Crown Estate owns (a) land, (b) property and (c) both land and property; and what information his Department holds on each of these assets.
- Written Answers — Culture Media and Sport: Departmental Procurement (21 Feb 2012)Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what proportion of the total value of contracts issued or to be issued by his Department in 2011-12 have required successful organisations to put up a capital bond; and if he will make a statement; (2) which contracts his Department has tendered or will tender in 2011-12 which require successful organisations to have...
