Gordon Banks MP - Labour MP for Ochil and South Perthshire

About Gordon

Educated
Lornshill Academy, Alloa

Further education
Glasgow College of Building (City and Guilds Construction Technology and Concrete Practice 1976)
Stirling University (BA History and Politics)

Career
Chief Buyer Barratt Developments 1976-86;
Director Cartmore Building Supply Co Ltd 1986-

Electoral History
Member for Ochil and South Perthshire since 5 May 2005 General Election

Committee Membership

Member of Unopposed Bills Committee

Member of Regulatory Reform Committee

Other Posts

Parliamentary Private Secretary to Rt Hon James Purnell MP

Secretary to the All Party Parliamentary Group Coeliac Disease and Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Chair of PLP Foreign Affairs Departmental Committee

Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Publishing

Secretary to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Land Maintenance

What did you do before becoming an MP?

I worked in the construction industry for 31 years, firstly with Costain Construction on the Thistle Centre in Stirling, then as Chief Buyer for Barratt. By 1986 I formed my own business, Cartmore Building Supply Co Ltd, which is based in Lochgelly, Fife. I believe that my business experience will be of significant benefit in being a Member of Parliament and I hope that I will be able to better understand and represent small and medium sized businesses in my constituency due to my background.

What are your main areas of political interest?

I am very fortunate in that my main areas of political interest are those which are delivered by the Parliament to which I am elected. These areas include the Environment, Europe, the Economy and Foreign Affairs.

What are your main political aims?

My main political aim is to be a good MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, representing Labour Party policies and values but also representing my constituents in a professional and competent manner relating to the issues that they bring to me.

An MP’s job is much more than being in Westminster. There is a huge amount of work to be done in the constituency – such as dealing with peoples concerns and issues. Party politics plays little in this section of my remit as people looking for assistance are not bothered which political party their elected MP represents, and in turn, I too am little interested in their politics, my main concern lies in using my abilities to resolve the difficulties that they may find themselves in at that point in time.

What do you think you have achieved as an MP?

In the short space of time I have been an MP, I would suggest my main achievements have been the level of help and support I have offered to my constituents, holding many roving Surgeries in the process, as well as appointments were I can offer advice to those who need it.

On wider issues, I have been successful in achieving a commitment from the Scottish Executive for up to £500,000 of matched funding for the refurbishment of Aytoun Hall. I have worked extensively on bringing tighter controls for Air Guns, and I have been successfully involved in campaigns to prevent the construction of telecommunication masts in inappropriate locations. I have been fortunate also to help a number of people on a wide range of issue such as housing, health, benefits, anti social behaviour – and other law and order issues, immigration, access to financial service, transport, and Revenue and Customs.

I believe I have a significant amount to learn in doing a job as an MP especially for Ochil and South Perthshire because in any walk of life, one can always learn more, and indeed is always leaning as they do their job. In Parliament since my election, I have developed a good understanding of Parliamentary procedures and do a significant amount of work in the three Committees I have been selected for.

What do you enjoy doing your spare time?

I like spending it with my family as I find this is the best way for me to unwind. However I do also enjoy music, song writing and sports such as football, and motor sports including Grand Prix and Rallying. I also like reading a wide range of books ranging from novels to European History, especially the period 1919 -1945.