Gareth Thomas

Labour MP Harrow West

Date of birth

15 July 1967

Political profile

Gareth Thomas' election to the Commons was one of the biggest surprises of 1997 when he overturned a 17,000 Tory majority to win Harrow West.

A former teacher and councillor, he became one of the most active backbenchers in the Commons, making good use of procedure to draw attention to the issues that interest him.

He has frequently introduced ten-minute rule bills and adjournment debates.

But the June 2003 reshuffle saw him move to the front bench as a junior minister at the Department for International Development.

He is an extremely loyal moderniser, and has an over-riding interest in sustainable energy and is the motivating force behind the all party group on the subject.

He has also campaigned against fox hunting, and against the demutualisation of building societies.

He became Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Charles Clarke in 1999, a post he retained after the 2001 election before his rise into the ministerial ranks.

He is known as Gareth R Thomas to differentiate him from his namesake who represents Clwyd West.

Contact

020 7219 4243

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