Ian Gibson (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ian Gibson
|
|
|---|---|
Gibson as an MP
|
|
| Chair of the Science and Technology Select Committee | |
| In office 16 July 2001 – 11 April 2005 |
|
| Preceded by | Michael Clark |
| Succeeded by | Phil Willis |
| Member of Parliament for Norwich North |
|
| In office 1 May 1997 – 5 June 2009 |
|
| Preceded by | Patrick Thompson |
| Succeeded by | Chloe Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 September 1938 Dumfries, Scotland |
| Died | 9 April 2021 (aged 82) Norfolk, England |
| Political party | Labour |
| Other political affiliations |
Socialist Workers (before 1983) |
| Spouses |
Verity
(before 1977)Elizabeth Lubbock
(m. 1977) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Dumfries Academy |
| Alma mater | |
| Profession |
|
Ian Gibson (born 26 September 1938 – died 9 April 2021) was a British politician and scientist. He was a member of the Labour Party. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Norwich North from 1997 to 2009.
Before becoming an MP, Gibson was a professor at the University of East Anglia. He was known as a top expert on cancer. He led the Science and Technology Committee in the House of Commons from 2001 to 2005. He sometimes disagreed with the government because of his strong views. He left Parliament in 2009 after issues with his expenses meant he could not run as a Labour candidate again.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ian Gibson was born in Dumfries, Scotland, in September 1938. His parents were William and Winifred Gibson. He went to Dumfries Academy for school.
He then studied at the University of Edinburgh. There, he earned a degree in Genetics and a doctorate. While at university, he also played professional football for Scottish teams like Airdrie and St Mirren. He continued his studies in the US at Indiana University Bloomington and the University of Washington.
During the 1960s, he enjoyed playing amateur football. He played for and captained a local team called Wymondham Town.
Academic and Science Career
Gibson worked at the University of East Anglia from 1965 until he became an MP. In 2003, he became an honorary professor there. He started as a research scientist and later became a senior biology lecturer in 1971.
In 1991, he became the Dean of the School of Biological Sciences. As Dean, he led a team researching cancer. He was an expert in how cancer works and how drugs can fight leukaemia.
He suggested that Norwich City goalkeeper Bryan Gunn fund a laboratory. It was named the Francesca Gunn laboratory, after Bryan's daughter who died from leukaemia. Gibson ran this lab for five years. He received a Champion Award from Macmillan Cancer Support for his important work.
Before working at the university, he wasn't very involved in politics. But he became active in the union ASTMS. He fought for better pay for university staff.
Political Journey
Ian Gibson was part of the Manufacturing, Science and Finance union executive from 1972 to 1996. He joined the Labour Party in 1983. Before that, he had been a member of the Socialist Workers Party for seven years.
He first tried to become an MP for Norwich North in the 1992 election. He lost by a small number of votes to the Conservative MP Patrick Thompson. However, when Thompson retired, Gibson won the seat in the 1997 general election. He won with a large majority of over 9,000 votes.
He was re-elected in 2001 and 2005. His majority was a bit smaller in these elections. He gave his first speech in Parliament on 17 June 1997.
Work in Parliament
When he became an MP, Gibson joined the Science and Technology Select Committee. He used this role to support science and better cancer treatment. He led this committee from 2001 to 2005. He also led the All-Party Parliamentary Group on cancer.
Gibson often spoke about medical and biological issues in the House of Commons. He urged the government to recognize Gulf War syndrome. He later joined other committees, including the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee.
Even though many people liked him, Gibson often disagreed with the government. He had strong left-wing views. He was a big supporter against top-up fees for universities. He also voted against some parts of the government's counterterrorism laws. This led to disagreements with other MPs, including Charles Clarke.
He was also the coach of the cross-party parliamentary football team. From 1999 to 2005, he was the team's joint manager.
In September 2004, he had a minor stroke while visiting Ramallah. After this, he called for health services to focus on stroke support, just like they do for cancer care.
In 2006, he was part of a BBC TV show called Inside Out. The show looked at a high number of oesophageal cancer cases in Norfolk. It explored a possible link to secret chemical experiments by the Ministry of Defence in the 1960s. Gibson hoped more research would be done to see if there was a connection.
Gibson announced in 2006 that he planned to run in the next election. He said he would rather "die with my boots on" than retire early.
After Parliament
After leaving Parliament, Gibson continued to campaign on local and environmental issues in Norwich. He also returned to lecturing at places like Harvard University. In 2015, he became president of the Norwich Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
From 2009 to 2013, he worked as a journalist for the Norwich Evening News.
Gibson was happy when Jeremy Corbyn, an old friend, became Labour leader in 2015. However, he later became less impressed with Corbyn's leadership.
Personal Life
Gibson's first wife was Verity, a social worker. They had two children. His daughter, Dominique, is still alive, but their other daughter, Ruth, died in 1993. In 1977, he married Liz, and they had another daughter.
He was a fan of Norwich City football club. He also served as president of his former club, Wymondham Town. Later, he joined a Norwich theatre group. He listed his hobbies as "football coaching, watching, listening and questioning."
Ian Gibson died in Norfolk on 9 April 2021, at the age of 82. He passed away from pancreatic cancer.
