Michael Meacher celebrates 40 years in Parliament
Reporter: Lewis Jones
Date published: 18 June 2010
AND then it’s back to his other day job — Mr Meacher tries his hand at pool attendant
'It's a privilege to be an MP for Oldham'
THE local Labour party is throwing a celebratory dinner tonight to honour Michael Meacher’s 40 years service as an MP for Oldham.
The longest-serving MP in the town’s history, Mr Meacher was jubilant after securing an 11th election victory this year with a majority of 9,352 in his Oldham West and Royton constituency.
Having previously stood, and lost, for Labour in Colchester at the 1966 General Election, a young Michael first hit the campaign trail in Oldham in 1968 — losing to Conservative candidate Bruce Campbell in the Oldham West by-election after the resignation of Labour MP Leslie Hale.
But he took the seat in 1970 at the age of 30, and went on to be a junior minister under Harold Wilson in the 1970s and served as Transport Minister under Tony Blair from 1997 to 2001.
He then took up the role of Environment Minister, which saw him strip down to his trunks and take a dip in Blackpool’s cold sea after pledging to take to the resort’s waters when they met European standards.
Campaigning on issues such as council house building, climate change and accountability, Meacher eventually quit the Government in 2003 over the Iraq war.
The dedicated left-wing Labour man announced in the Chronicle in 2007 he was standing for leader of the party, but failed to get enough nominations to get his name on the ballot.
Only Sir Peter Tapsell, who was elected in October, 1959, has been an MP longer.
Mr Meacher said: “There has been ups and downs in political life but it is hugely rewarding and tremendously satisfying and a privilege to represent Oldham — a community in the process of change from the industrial revolution, from its mill culture to a modern progressive town.
“It is a great opportunity to be the MP for the area and I grasp it with enthusiasm.”
Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas described his colleague as a “legend”.
He said: “Michael is a legend in British politics. He has been the MP for Oldham for more time than the majority have been alive. What I most respect about him is his unfailing courtesy. Against all of the slings and arrows of what is the most brutal profession in society, he never loses his politeness and his dignity.”
Ashton MP David Heyes said: “The difference Michael has made to Oldham is impressive. If you look around you can see the investment in health services and health and social welfare has really been Michael’s abiding interest and he has to take a lot of the credit for it.”
