Alan Campbell (politician)

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For other persons named Alan Campbell, see Alan Campbell (disambiguation).

Alan Campbell (born July 8, 1957) British politician. He is the Labour Member of Parliament for Tynemouth, and serves as a Government Whip and Lord Commissioner of HM Household.

Alan Campbell was born in Consett and went to the Blackfyne Secondary School in the town before attending the University of Lancaster where he was awarded a degree in politics. He then qualified as a teacher at the University of Leeds, before finishing his education at the Newcastle Polytechnic with a postgraduate degree in history. He began his career as a teacher at Whitley Bay High School in 1981, after eight years there he became the Head of the Sixth Form at the Hirst High School in Ashington where he remained until he was elected to the British House of Commons.

He contested the Conservative-held marginal constituency of Tynemouth at the 1997 general election where he defeated Martin Callanan by 11,273 votes. This was the first time the seat had had a Labour MP since its creation in 1955. He made his maiden speech on June 2, 1997.[1]. Following his election, Alan Campbell was a member of the Public Accounts Select Committee for the duration of his first parliament. After the 2001 General Election he became the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Minister of State at the Cabinet Office Gus Macdonald, and in 2003 became the PPS to Adam Ingram at the Ministry of Defence. He entered the government of Tony Blair after the 2005 General Election as an assistant Whip.

He has been married to Jayne Lamont since 1991 and they have a son, James, and a daughter, Emily, and is a supporter of the comprehensive school system.