Andrew Bennett

For other people named Andrew Bennett, see Andrew Bennett (disambiguation).

Andrew Bennett
Member of Parliament for Denton and Reddish Stockport North (1974-1983)
In office 1 March 1974 – 11 April 2005
Preceded by	Idris Owen
Succeeded by	Andrew Gwynne
Personal details
Born	(1939-03-09) 9 March 1939 Barton-upon-Irwell
Nationality	British
Political party	Labour
Spouse(s)	Gillian Lawley

Andrew Francis Bennett (born 9 March 1939) is a British Labour Party politician, who was a member of Parliament from 1974 to 2005.

Early life

Bennett was born in Barton-upon-Irwell. He attended the William Hulme's Grammar School in Whalley Range. He studied at the University of Birmingham gaining a BSocSc (Bachelor of Social Science). A geography teacher from 1960–74, Bennett was elected to Oldham Borough Council in 1964, and served on it until 1974.

Parliamentary career

He contested the Knutsford parliamentary seat in 1970 and was elected to Parliament in February 1974 for the marginal constituency of Stockport North, defeating the Conservative incumbent Idris Owen by just 203 votes. Following boundary changes, he was elected MP for Denton and Reddish in 1983. From 1983 to 1988 he served on the Labour front bench as a shadow Education and Science minister. He was chairman of the House of Commons Committee on Statutory Instruments .

He rebelled against the Labour government on various issues, including the privatisation of National Air Traffic Services.

He retired at the 2005 general election, and the seat was held for Labour by Andrew Gwynne.

Personal life

He married Gillian Lawley in 1961 in Manchester. They have two sons and a daughter.

External links

• BBC Profile
• They Work For You
• Public Whip
• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Andrew Bennett

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Idris Owen	Member of Parliament for Stockport North 1974–1983	Constituency abolished
New constituency	Member of Parliament for Denton and Reddish 1983–2005	Succeeded by Andrew Gwynne