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Dennis SkinnerBritish politician
Date of Birth: 11.02.1932
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- Education and Early Work:
- Political Activism:
- Parliamentary Career
- Support for the Miners' Strike:
- Controversial Positions:
- Leadership Challenges:
- Political Honors and Recognition:
- Personal Life
- Health Issues:
- Community Involvement:
- Anti-Technology Stance:
Early Life and Career
Birthplace and Family:Dennis Skinner was born in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, on January 11, 1932, to Edward and Lucy Skinner. His father was a miner who lost his job during the 1926 General Strike, and his mother was a cleaner.
Education and Early Work:
Skinner excelled in school, earning a scholarship to Tapton Hall Grammar School at age 10. He began working as a miner at Parkhouse Colliery in 1949. After the colliery's closure in 1962, he moved to Glapwell Colliery near Chesterfield.
Political Activism:
Skinner joined the Labour Party in 1956 and became President of the Derbyshire Area of the National Union of Mineworkers at age 32. He was elected to Derbyshire County Council and Clay Cross Urban District Council. In 1967, he attended a National Union of Mineworkers course at Sheffield University and subsequently enrolled at Ruskin College, Oxford.
Parliamentary Career
Election to Parliament:Skinner was first elected as Labour Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolsover in 1970. He became known for his outspoken left-wing views and witty remarks.
Support for the Miners' Strike:
During the 1984-1985 miners' strike, Skinner was a vocal supporter of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and its leader Arthur Scargill. He also voted against the reduction of the legal abortion time limit and the banning of stem cell research.
Controversial Positions:
Skinner has been a vocal opponent of the Conservative Party and the monarchy. He has also condemned the House of Lords and advocated for its abolition.
Leadership Challenges:
In 2003, Skinner voted against the Iraq War. He defied the party line in 2005 by voting against the Labour government's Terrorism Act, which extended the period that suspected terrorists could be held without charge.
Political Honors and Recognition:
In 2017, Skinner became the longest-serving Labour MP in Parliament after the death of Sir Gerald Kaufman. However, he declined the title of "Father of the House" due to its seniority being determined by the order in which members take the oath, which placed him behind Conservative MP Kenneth Clarke.
Personal Life
Marriage and Family:Skinner married Mary Parker in 1960. They had three children, all of whom attended their father's alma mater and later graduated from the University of Manchester. The couple separated in 1989. Skinner currently resides with his assistant, Lois Blazenheim.
Health Issues:
Skinner was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 1999 and underwent surgery to remove the tumor. In 2003, he underwent a double heart bypass.
Community Involvement:
Skinner has been involved in several community projects, including visiting nursing homes and singing with elderly people with dementia.
Anti-Technology Stance:
Skinner has famously eschewed modern communication technologies. He has never sent an email, citing privacy concerns, support for postal workers, and his preference for personal signatures.
