Edward Leigh

Edward Julian Egerton Leigh (born 20 July 1950) is a politician in the United Kingdom. He is Conservative Member of Parliament for Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, and was first elected in 1983. He has served on the Committee of Public Accounts since July 2001, and as its chairman from October.

Related Topics:
20 July - 1950 - United Kingdom - Conservative - Member of Parliament - Gainsborough - Lincolnshire - 1983 - Committee of Public Accounts

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Edward Leigh is known for his opposition to abortion, contraception and genetic research and for his anti-gay stance. In 2003, together with Ann Widdecombe he proposed an amendment opposing repeal of Section 28 of the Local Government Act, which banned the promotion of homosexuality. In 2005, just before the General Election, when told that he came bottom of a ranking system based on gay rights, Leigh answered: "I had to giggle as I read the accompanying letter, which informed me that I came last equal with 0% ... I wear it as a badge of honour - the gay vote is not big in Lincolnshire. I was even thinking of mentioning it in my election address." Leigh is also the leader of the socially conservative Cornerstone Group and Vice President of the Catholic Union of Great Britain.

Related Topics:
Abortion - Contraception - Genetic - Gay - 2003 - Ann Widdecombe - Amendment - Section 28 - Local Government Act - 2005 - General Election - Cornerstone Group

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was educated at the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle - a French school in London - and University College, Durham where he read History and was president of the Durham Union Society. Before entering politics, he practised arbitration and criminal law for Goldsmiths Chambers as a member of the Inner Temple. He is the son of Sir Neville Leigh, one-time Clerk to the Privy Council. He is married with six children.

Related Topics:
Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle - University College, Durham - Durham Union Society - Arbitration - Criminal law - Goldsmiths Chambers - Inner Temple - Neville Leigh - Privy Council

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~