Derek Twigg

Labour MP Halton

Date of birth

9 July 1959

Political profile

Derek Twigg was first elected to the Commons in 1997, when he succeeded the retiring Gordon Oakes.

Soon after his election, he served briefly on the Public Accounts committee, and subsequently became Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Helen Liddell whom he served until her appointment as Scottish Secretary.

He subsequently became PPS to Stephen Byers, and, in the same reshuffle which saw the end of Mr Byers's ministerial career, joined the government as a whip.

Mr Twigg served as chair of the north-west group of Labour MPs, and fought for the new, multi-million pound synchrotron X-ray machine to be sited in the region.

He also spent many years in local government, as well as working for the Department of Education and Employment, which has given him a good background in the administration of public services.

In the December 2004 reshuffle prompted by the resignation of David Blunkett as home secretary, Mr Twigg was made junior schools minister.

Contact

020 7219 3554

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