John Pugh

Infobox MP
honorific-prefix =
name = John Pugh
honorific-suffix =

---

constituency_MP = Southport
parliament =
majority = 3,838 (9.3%)
predecessor = Ronnie Fearn
successor = Incumbent
term_start = 7 June 2001
term_end =
birth_date = Birth date and age|1948|06|28|df=yes
birth_place = Liverpool
death_date =
death_place =
nationality = British
spouse = Annette
party = Liberal Democrats
relations =
children = 3 daughters, 1 son
residence =
alma_mater = Durham University
occupation =
profession =
religion =


website = [http://www.johnpughmp.com/ John Pugh MP]
footnotes =

John David Pugh (born 28 June, 1948; Liverpool) is a politician in the United Kingdom. He is Member of Parliament for Southport, representing the Liberal Democrats. First elected in 2001 with a majority of 3,007, he was re-elected in 2005 with a slightly increased majority of 3,838.

Early life

John Pugh was educated at Prescot Grammar School on "St Helen's Road" in Prescot, Maidstone Grammar School and Durham University, where he studied Philosophy. [cite web |url=http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/southport
title=Polling Guide - Southport
publisher=UK Election Report
accessdate=2008-02-12]

Career before election to parliament

Formerly a religious studies teacher and Head of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby, John Pugh has lived in Southport since 1974 and joined the Liberal Party in 1977. Pugh served on Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, representing Birkdale, from 1987 until his election to Parliament. At the time of his election, Pugh was leader of the council (from 1992), and of the Sefton Liberal Democrats.

Roles in parliament

*2008- Shadow Treasury Spokesperson
*2006-2007 Shadow Health spokesperson
*2005-6 Shadow Transport spokesperson,
*2002-05 Shadow Ministerial Spokesman, Education

Role in Liberal Democrat leadership elections

In the 2007 leadership election, John Pugh supported Nick Clegg in preference to Chris Huhne [cite web
url=http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-john-pugh-mp-writes-1651.html
title=Opinion: John Pugh MP writes
publisher=Lib Dem Voice
date=2007-10-07
accessdate=2008-02-07] .

Campaign interests

Amongst John Pugh's campaigning interests is public sector IT, specifically around the role Open Source Software might play. Dr Pugh has argued that the public sector could reduce costs by increasing use of Open Source Software [cite web
url=http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2007-10-09b.46.0&s=section%3Adebates+section%3Awhall+section%3Alordsdebates+section%3Ani+speaker%3A11174#g48.2
title=Debate on Government IT and Software Procurement
publisher=Hansard
date=
accessdate=2008-02-07] and has accused the BBC of effectively giving Microsoft illegal state aid in only making their iPlayer download service available on Windows computers. [cite web |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/14/thompson_bbc_iplayer_pac/
title=MP accuses BBC chief of illegally championing Microsoft
publisher=The Register
accessdate=2008-02-07]

John Pugh also has interests in mental health policy, education and transport.

John Pugh will receive an Honorary Fellowship from from Cardiff UWIC university in July 2008.

Outside interests

John Pugh's interests include philosophy, computers, weight-lifting and supporting Liverpool F.C.

Personal life

He is married to Annette with three daughters and a son. He moved to Southport in 1974.

References

External links

* [http://www.johnpughmp.com John Pugh MP] official site
* [http://www.southport.gb.com/johnpughdiary Southport - Diary of John Pugh MP]
* [http://www.libdems.org.uk/people/john-pugh John Pugh MP] profile at the site of Liberal Democrats
* [http://www.southportlibdems.com Southport Lib Dems]
* [http://www.epolitix.com/EN/MPWebsites/John+Pugh/ ePolitix.com - John Pugh MP]
* [http://politics.guardian.co.uk/person/0,9290,-6882,00.html Guardian Unlimited Politics - Ask Aristotle: John Pugh MP]
* [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/john_pugh/southport TheyWorkForYou.com - John Pugh MP]
* [http://www.openrightsgroup.org/orgwiki/index.php/John_Pugh_MP Open Rights Group - John Pugh MP]
* [http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpn=John_Pugh&mpc=Southport The Public Whip - John Pugh MP] voting record
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/mpdb/html/530.stm BBC News - John Pugh] profile 16 November, 2006