Toby Perkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Toby Perkins
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Official portrait, 2017
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| Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs | |
| In office 5 September 2023 – 5 July 2024 |
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| Leader | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Shadow Minister for Apprenticeships and Lifelong Learning | |
| In office 9 April 2020 – 5 September 2023 |
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| Leader | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Seema Malhotra |
| Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces | |
| In office 14 September 2015 – 27 June 2016 |
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| Leader | Jeremy Corbyn |
| Preceded by | Alison Seabeck |
| Succeeded by | Wayne David |
| Shadow Minister for Small Business | |
| In office 7 October 2011 – 14 September 2015 |
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| Leader | Ed Miliband |
| Preceded by | Chuka Umunna |
| Succeeded by | Bill Esterson |
| Member of Parliament for Chesterfield |
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| Assumed office 6 May 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Holmes |
| Majority | 10,820 (26.1%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 August 1970 Reading, Berkshire, England |
| Political party | Labour |
| Children | 2 |
| Residences | Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England |
| Occupation | Politician |
Toby Perkins (born 12 August 1970) is a British politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. Since 2010, he has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Chesterfield. An MP is a person elected to represent a specific area in the UK Parliament. From 2023 to 2024, he was the Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs. He has also held other important roles, like Shadow Minister for Apprentices and Lifelong Learning.
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Toby Perkins: Early Life and Education
Toby Perkins was born in Reading, England, on 12 August 1970. He went to Trinity Catholic School in Leamington Spa. Later, he attended Silverdale Comprehensive School in Sheffield.
Starting His Career
Before becoming an MP, Toby Perkins worked in the private sector. This means he worked for businesses, not the government. He worked in IT sales and also started his own business that sold rugby products.
From 2003 to 2011, Toby Perkins was a local councillor. He represented the Rother Ward on the Chesterfield Borough Council. Councillors help make decisions for their local area. He also helped set up a fund for flood victims in Chesterfield in 2007. This fund raised over £13,000 to help people affected by the floods.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In the 2010 general election, Toby Perkins was elected as the MP for Chesterfield. He won against the previous MP, Paul Holmes.
Soon after being elected, he spoke in David Cameron's first Prime Minister's Questions. This is a time when MPs can ask the Prime Minister questions. The Financial Times newspaper even named him one of the best new MPs in 2010.
Key Roles in Parliament
Toby Perkins has held several important roles in the Labour Party. These roles are often called "Shadow Minister" positions. A Shadow Minister is part of the opposition party. They watch over a specific government department. They also develop their party's policies for that area.
- In 2010, he became a Shadow Education Minister.
- In 2011, he moved to the Shadow Business team. He became the Shadow Minister for Enterprise and Small Business. In this role, he worked on policies for small businesses and how they get money.
- From 2015 to 2016, he was the Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces.
- From 2020 to 2023, he was the Shadow Minister for Apprenticeships and Lifelong Learning. This role focused on training and education for people of all ages.
- From 2023 to 2024, he served as the Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs.
Working for His Community
Toby Perkins is part of several All Party Parliamentary Groups. These groups bring together MPs from different political parties. They work on specific topics.
- He chairs the All Party Parliamentary Pub Group. This group supports pubs across the UK.
- He also chairs the All Party Parliamentary group on Tennis.
- He was the chair of the Labour Friends of the Forces from 2016 to 2020. This group supports members of the armed forces.
He has also led debates in Parliament on important issues. For example, he spoke about rules for pub companies. He also helped stop plans to close fire stations in Derbyshire.
Important Campaigns and Votes
Toby Perkins has been re-elected as the MP for Chesterfield several times. He won again in the 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2024 general elections.
In 2016, he supported the UK staying in the European Union. This was before the EU Referendum. He voted for the UK to remain a member.
He also supported Owen Smith in 2016 when he tried to become the leader of the Labour Party. In 2020, he supported Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership.
