- David Pugh (Conservative politician)
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David Pugh Born April 17, 1980
Isle of WightNationality British Occupation Leader of the Isle of Wight Council Known for Politician David Pugh (born 1980, Newport) is a Conservative politician and currently leader of the Isle of Wight Council, residing in Shanklin. He was first elected to the Isle of Wight Council at the local elections in May 2005 as a member for the Shanklin Central Ward and was re-elected in the June 2009 elections to the Shanklin South ward. He was appointed leader of the Isle of Wight Council in September 2007 following the resignation of former leader Cllr Andy Sutton. On assuming the role of Council leader he became the youngest local authority leader in the UK, and he remains the youngest member of the Isle of Wight Council. In 2009 he led the Island Conservatives into the local elections and won a majority of seats, enabling him to form a second term for his party at County Hall.
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Early life
David Pugh was born on the Isle of Wight, growing up in Newport, Lake and Shanklin. He was educated in the Island's school system at Westmont and Newport CE Primary Schools, Trinity Middle School (now Christ the King College) and Sandown High School. He then went on to study politics at the University of Aberystwyth, Wales.[1] completing two years of the three year course.[2]
Political career
Prior to work as a local councillor for the Isle of Wight, David Pugh worked at the Conservative Central Office in Westminster holding the position of Head of Youth with the responsibility for Conservative Future. This was a post he held for 4 years between 2000 and 2004. During this time he represented the Westminster Foundation for Democracy on a number of visits to eastern European nations with developing democracies.[1]
Isle of Wight Council
In 2004 Pugh returned to live on the island and became a member of Shanklin Town Council. In May 2005 he was elected to the Isle of Wight Council as a Conservative member for the Shanklin Central ward. Between May 2005 and April 2007 Pugh served as Cabinet Secretary. After April 2007 he was appointed as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure and Communications.[1]
In 2007 following the resignation of Cllr Andy Sutton, Pugh was elected as Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, a post he remains in to this day. His appointment at the age of 27 made him the youngest local authority leader in the country.[3]
External and national work
In 2010 he was appointed a member of the Ministerial Advisory Group on the role of local authorities in education and children's services, supporting the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove. [4] He was also appointed as a member of the Local Government Association's Children & Young People Programme Board.[5]
In 2011, he was appointed as a Director of the newly formed Solent Local Enterprise Partnership.[6]
Electoral performance
2005
Shanklin Central[7] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Conservative David Pugh 906 Labour Peter Coleman 298 Independent John Fleming 285 2009
For the Isle of Wight Council election in 2009, Pugh switched wards to contest the new Shanklin South seat, which due to boundary changes incorporated part of his previous seat of Shanklin Central. Despite unveiling plans to reform education on the island which were seen as contentious, prior to the announcement of the results Pugh stated that he had been "Quietly confident securing a majority".[8] When the final results were declared, some key players involved with the education reform plans had lost their seats, but Pugh managed to retain his with a comfortable majority.[9] His party also won a majority of seats on the Isle of Wight Council.
Shanklin South Party Candidate Votes % ±% Conservative David Pugh 804 Liberal Democrat Lynda Fleming 161 Independent Anne Bishop 156 Labour Peter Coleman 58 Turnout 1179 40.46 Personal life
David Pugh currently resides in Shanklin in his home in the town centre, in the ward he represents.
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Isle of Wight Councillors - David Pugh homepage". Isle of Wight Council. http://www.iwight.com/councillor/davidpugh/. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
- ^ Wegg-Prosser, Benjamin (2001-10-12). "Conservative Future gets a make-over". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2001/oct/12/conservatives.uk. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
- ^ "All change as council leader resigns". Isle of Wight County Press. http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/all-change-as-council-leader-resigns-17391.aspx. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
- ^ "Ministerial Advisory Group on the role of the Local Authority in relation to Education and Children’s Services". Department for Education. http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/m/mag%20members.pdf. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ "Children and Young People Programme Board members for 2010-2011". LG Group. http://www.local.gov.uk/board-members-and-profiles. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ "Solent LEP Directors". Solent Local Enterprise Partnership. http://www.solentlep.org.uk/Permanent_Board_Biographies.pdf. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- ^ "Isle of Wight Council election 2005". Isle of Wight County Press. http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/isle-of-wight-council-election-2005-9098.aspx. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
- ^ "Tories surge back in island polls". Isle of Wight County Press. http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/tories-surge-back-in-island-polls-26595.aspx. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
- ^ "Isle of Wight Council election results". Isle of Wight County Press. http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/isle-of-wight-council-election-results-26585.aspx. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
External links
Categories:- 1980 births
- Living people
- Conservative Party (UK) politicians
- Councillors in the Isle of Wight
- Alumni of Aberystwyth University
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