Eric Martlew

Labour MP Carlisle

Date of birth

3 January 1949

Political profile

An MP since 1987, Eric Martlew has hovered on the fringes of Labour's frontbench for some years without quite breaking through.

He served as a defence spokesman and whip in opposition, but when Labour came to power in 1997, only found a niche as PPS to David Clark.

On Dr Clark's sacking he became PPS to Baroness Jay.

Following the 2001 election, he joined the Commons environment, food and rural affairs select committee.

He is on the mainstream left of the party and was encouraging the government to bring Railtrack back in to public ownership long before it went into administration.

He has also criticised farmers for excessive demands on the public purse.

He has for a long time campaigned against over-pricing and supermarket cartels.

He has a very high profile in his constituency, where he was once the chair of the county council.

Contact

Constituency office 01228 511395