Biography

Justin Tomlinson MP

A Local Voice Putting Swindon First

As a local resident, I am extremely proud to be the Conservative Member of Parliament for North Swindon. Now I have been elected I will work tirelessly to always put local residents first, no excuses. As I have shown through my track record as a local Councillor, there will be no one with more energy, enthusiam and passion to stand up and put Swindon first.


Elected North Swindon MP - Justin was elected as the MP for North Swindon on Thursday May 6th, having secured a 7060 majority following a 10.1% swing to take the seat from Labour. This was one of the biggest swings in the country. Justin had previously contested this seat in 2005, where he cut the Labour majority from 8100 to 2500, again one of the biggest swings in the country.

Abbey Meads Ward - Justin was elected as a Councillor to represent the Abbey Meads ward in 2000, re-elected 2002 & 2006, each time with an increased majority. Justin's final term as a Councillor ended on the day he was elected to become the MP. During the 10 years Justin was a Councillor he had a 100% attendance record and never claimed a penny in expenses.

Swindon Borough Council - Justin served as the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Recreation for 4 years. During this time he chaired projects including:

  • The new £10m central library, on time and on budget
  • Set up successful Sports Forum, involving 60+ sports groups
  • Invested in a variety of new leisure facilities across the leisure centres

Conservative Future - In 2003, Justin was the National Chair of Conservative Future.

Justin Tomlinson In Parliament

Justin Tomlinson MP is now rated as 'Well Above Average', the highest rating in all categories (Voting, Speaking, Parliamentary Questions) on They Work For You.com, which monitors MP's activity in Parliament.

Justin is a member of a number of All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs):

  • Chair of the Financial Education for Young People APPG (Now largest in Parliament)
  • Chair of the Libraries APPG
  • Co-Chair of the Leisure APPG
  • Co-Chair of the Global Education for All APPG
  • Vice Chair of the Small Shop APPG
  • Vice Chair of the Retail APPG
  • Vice Chair of the Heart Disease APPG
  • Vice-Chair of the Town Centre APPG
  • Member of the Save The Pub APPG
  • Member of the Beer APPG
  • Member of the Taiwan APPG
  • Member of the Video Games Industry APPG
  • Member of the Betting & Gaming APPG
  • Member of the Micro Business (Less Than 5 Employees) APPG
  • Member of the Literacy Group APPG
  • Member of the Vascular Disease APPG

Justin has been active in a number of issues:

  • Sport - Successfully campaigned to save the School Sports Partnership, and promoted the need for young people to access to 'jumpers for goalposts'.
  • Business - Promoting greater access to finance, less regulation and incentives to encourage new business start-ups.
  • Banking - Improved customer service and greater transparency on interest rates / charges.
  • Employment - Promoting apprenticeships, in particular for small and medium sized businesses.
  • Credit & Debt Management - Bringing in measures to protect vulnerable consumers from high cost debt.
  • Libraries - Promoting best practice to support and sustain the long-term future of community libraries.
  • Development - To drive up the standards of housing developments, with better quality housing, street scene maintenance, access to green open spaces and adequate infrastructure - to deliver an improved quality of life, all too often lacking in new developments.

Justin was selected as the ‘Total Politics MP of the Month’ in May in recognition of his campaign for ‘compulsory financial education’ for young people. Justin set an All-Party Parliamentary Group, and working with Martin Lewis (moneysavingexpert.com) and PFEG charity have now become the largest APPG in Parliament, with 226 cross-party MPs signed up as supporters. The APPG is currently carrying out a Parliamentary inquiry on the best way to deliver this and will continue to lobby the Government.

Outside Of Politics

Justin is a huge fan of football! As a fan, he regularly watches Swindon Town and Swindon Supermarine FC who he has also helped raise much needed sponsorship money. Justin still regularly plays football including for the Parliamentary football team. Justin is also a vetern of Football Manager having owned all the versions since the original Championship Manager!

Prior to being elected as an MP Justin owned local company TB Marketing for 10 years, having formely been a nightclub manager after graduating with a Business Degree from Oxford Brookes University.

Justin's Facebook profile: http://www.facebook.com/justintomlinsonmp

 

Jo Wheeler (left) with Justin Tomlinson MP at the Highworth Cats Protection Stand

Justin is engaged to Jo Wheeler who owns 'We Love Pets' a pet care company that covers Wiltshire & Berkshire, and they are planning to marry in Parliament in June 2012.