Eric has a long career of work in local Government and working for local communities.
Born in Keighley, he was educated at Greenhead Grammar School and Leeds Polytechnic. He become a councillor, and went on to be Leader of Bradford City Council.
Having run a multi-culturally diverse city like Bradford, Eric is committed to improving community harmony and encouraging communities to live and work together.
His experience of the economic difficulties of great northern cities like Bradford spurred his commitment to improving local services and helping people by providing low council tax and value for money.
Eric is committed to giving people a greater say over how their communities are run, and wants to hand power down to them through local Government.
Before becoming an MP, Eric was a Member of Yorkshire Regional Health Authority and National Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee Against Racism.
He has previously worked as a Consultant in Employment Practice and Local Government Editor for Conservative Newsline.
He was elected as Member of Parliament for Brentwood and Ongar in 1992, and has held many Front Bench posts including Shadow Minister for Transport and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party.
Eric has led a number of high profile campaigns, including one against garden grabbing and back garden development, and another against plans for a revaluation of council tax which would have increased bills for families across the country.
POSITIONS HELD:
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MP for Brentwood and Ongar, April 1992
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Vice Chairman Conservative Party 1994 - 1997
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Frontbench Social Security Spokesman August 1998
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Shadow Minister for Transport and Shadow Minister for London, September 2001
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Shadow Minister for Local Government, June 2002
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Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, 2005 - 2007
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Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, June 2007 - January 2009
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Chairman of the Conservative Party, January 2009 - May 2010
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Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, May 2010 -
PROUDEST POLITICAL ACHIEVEMENT:
As a councillor, bringing a city technology college to one of the most deprived areas of Bradford; as an MP helping to persuade the government of the folly of closing the much loved Ongar War Memorial Hospital. There is also the pleasure of helping lots of people with constituency case work over the years.
INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF POLITICS:
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Bird watching
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Film, particularly Westerns
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Opera
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Film
FAMILY LIFE: