Larry Sanders (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Larry Sanders
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Sanders in 2008
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| Spokesperson for Health and Social Care of the Green Party of England and Wales | |
| In office February 11, 2016 – May 7, 2021 |
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| Leader |
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| Preceded by | Jillian Creasy |
| Succeeded by | office abolished |
| Member of the Oxfordshire County Council from Oxford East |
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| In office 2005–2013 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lawrence Sanders
April 29, 1935 New York City, U.S. |
| Nationality |
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| Political party | Green (2001–present) Labour (before 2001) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic |
| Spouse | Margaret (died 1983) |
| Domestic partner | Janet Hall (since 1998) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent |
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| Relatives | Bernie Sanders (brother) |
| Education | |
Lawrence Sanders (born April 29, 1935) is an American-British academic, social worker, and politician. He used to be the spokesperson for Health and Social Care for the Green Party of England and Wales. He is also the older brother of Bernie Sanders, who is a United States Senator from Vermont. Bernie Sanders has run for U.S. president twice.
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in New York
Larry Sanders was born in Brooklyn, New York City. His parents were Dorothy and Eli Sanders. His father was an immigrant from Poland whose family was killed in the Holocaust. His mother was born in New York City to Jewish immigrant parents from Poland and Russia.
His father came to America in 1921 when he was 17. He supported his family by selling paint. Larry Sanders remembers that his family always had enough food and clothes. However, buying big things like curtains or a rug was difficult. His mother passed away in 1960 when she was 47.
School and University
Both Larry and his brother Bernie went to James Madison High School in Brooklyn. Larry said they were young, rebellious Jewish students after the war. They were part of the crowd, but not yet leaders.
Larry Sanders went to Brooklyn College in New York. He later earned a master's degree in social work from the University of Oxford in the UK. He also studied at Harvard Law School in the 1950s. He left after two years to take care of his sick mother. He returned 35 years later and finished his law degree in 1994.
Moving to the UK
Sanders moved to the United Kingdom around 1968 or 1969. He became a university lecturer. He taught first at the University of West London and then at Oxford University. At Oxford, he worked in the Department of Social Administration.
His Son's Political Path
Larry's son, Jacob Edward "Jake" Sanders, was born in 1968. Jake was elected to the Oxford City Council in 2000. He also ran as a candidate for the Green Party of England and Wales in the Oxford East area during the 2005 general election.
Political Career in the UK
Joining the Green Party
Larry Sanders was active in the Labour Party in Oxford during the 1980s. However, he left the party in 2001. He felt the Labour Party had become too conservative under its leader, Tony Blair. Because of this, he joined the Green Party.
Serving as a County Councillor
In 2005, Sanders was elected as a Green Party county councillor. He represented the East Oxford area in the Oxfordshire County Council. He served until 2013 when he retired from the Council.
His main focus as a county councillor was on social and health care services. In 2005, he resigned from the board of the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. He did this because he was worried that planned cuts to services would put vulnerable patients at risk.
Role at Oxford Community School
In September 2009, Sanders became the Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Oxford Community School. This happened after the previous chairman and six other board members resigned. In December 2009, the government approved a plan to replace the Board of Governors with a new interim board. Sanders said he was "dreadfully disappointed" by this decision.
Health Spokesperson for the Green Party
In February 2016, Larry Sanders was chosen as the Health Spokesperson for the Green Party of England and Wales. He held this important role until May 2021.
Involvement in US Politics
In May 2016, Sanders was chosen as a delegate for his brother, Bernie Sanders. This happened at the Democrats Abroad Global Convention in Berlin. At the 2016 Democratic National Convention on July 26, he spoke emotionally. He announced that he would cast his vote for his brother.
European Parliament Election
In the 2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom, Larry Sanders was a candidate for the Greens. He was the 7th-placed candidate for the South East England area.
Electoral History Overview
Larry Sanders has run in several elections in the UK. He has stood as a Green Party candidate for a seat in the House of Commons, which is part of the UK Parliament.
2017 General Election
In the 2017 United Kingdom general election, Sanders ran for the Oxford East area. He finished in fourth place, receiving 1,785 votes. This was 3.3% of the total votes.
2016 Witney By-election
Sanders also ran in the 2016 Witney by-election. This election happened after then-Prime Minister David Cameron resigned as an MP. Sanders finished in fourth place in this election, getting 1,363 votes, which was 3.54% of the total.
2015 General Election
In the 2015 United Kingdom general election, Larry Sanders was the Green Party candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon. He finished in fifth place, receiving 2,497 votes, which was 4.4% of all votes cast.
