Robert Largan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert Largan
MP
Official portrait of Robert Largan MP crop 2.jpg
Official portrait, 2020
Member of Parliament
for High Peak
Assumed office
12 December 2019
Preceded byRuth George
Majority590 (1.1%)
Personal details
Born (1987-05-29) 29 May 1987 (age 34)
Manchester, England
Political partyConservative
Alma materUniversity of Manchester

Robert Largan (born 29 May 1987) is a British Conservative Party politician, who was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for High Peak at the 2019 general election.[1]

Early life and career[]

Largan was born in Whitefield, Manchester, the son of Terry and Joanna Louise Largan.[1] Largan's father came from a large Irish Catholic family in Salford and had a variety of occupations, including as a Shabbos goy, plasterer, postman, and trade union shop steward. His mother left school with no qualifications, caring for her younger sisters following the death of her father, and later worked in the Department of Social Security.[2] Largan attended his local comprehensive, Philips High School, then studied economics and politics at the University of Manchester between 2005 and 2008.[3]

His first job was at the supermarket Asda, which he took during his time at university.[4] He later moved to London for work, trained as a chartered accountant and was hired by Deloitte in 2012, working in equity capital markets until 2017.[5] He was working in finance for Marks & Spencer when he gained Conservative MP candidacy in 2018.[6]

Political career[]

Local politics[]

Largan began his political career with the Conservative Party in 2014, gaining a seat as a local councillor for Sands End in Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council. Serving a three-year term there,[7] he also worked as a parliamentary assistant to MP Greg Hands at the time.[8]

During his time as councillor he raised a motion against higher taxes on properties valued over £2 million,[9] supported a motion to reinstatement of funding to Sands End Adventure Playground cut by the previous Conservative administration,[10] led a motion condemning xenophobia and bigotry after a local Polish community centre was vandalised,[11] and signed a statement to London Mayor Boris Johnson against regulation of taxi firm Uber and in favour of deregulation of all London taxis.[12]

Largan unsuccessfully contested the Bury South constituency for the Conservatives at the June 2017 general election. Largan applied to be the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Crewe and Nantwich in September 2018. He was selected as the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for High Peak in October 2018.[13] He stood against the incumbent Labour MP Ruth George, who has been described as a “strong supporter” of then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.[14]

High Peak MP[]

In the 2019 United Kingdom general election, Largan was elected as the Member of Parliament for the High Peak constituency on 12 December 2019. High Peak was a marginal seat, which had alternated between Labour and Conservative in past elections.This was a key marginal seat that had been taken by Labour at the previous general election.[15]

Since being elected, Largan has been present for 90% of votes and has rebelled 6 times,[16] Among his rebel votes against his party were two votes against the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) bill.[17] and voting against the Government on an amendment to the Environment Bill regarding sewage overflows.[18] For the 2019–2020 period, Largan claimed £25,666.71 in expenses, which was reported by the Derbyshire Times as the highest claim of any MP in Derbyshire.[19]

On 2 March 2020, Largan was elected to serve on the Transport Select Committee to scrutinise the Department for Transport. In his role on the committee, he has contributed to inquiries into various issues, including the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation sector and the rollout and safety of smart motorways.[20][21]

Largan gave his maiden speech on 23 March 2020, during an emergency debate on the Coronavirus Bill which introduced a range of new powers to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. He used the speech to call on the Government to urgently provide more support to the self-employed. Largan also promised to take an independent minded approach to politics, said he was "prepared to criticise [his] party and the Government when they get things wrong", and concluded his speech by saying "our greatest reforms—universal suffrage, civil liberties, the NHS—were secured not through ideological purity or confrontation, but by collaboration and taking the view that compromise is not betrayal but a kind of victory." Labour MP, Chris Bryant followed this speech by commending Largan's stance against ideological purity.[2]

In November 2020, he founded the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Peak District and was elected chair, noting a focus on bringing green jobs to the region.[22]

In December 2021, Largan was elected as the chair for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Mining and Quarrying.

Largan is also a member of the Events; Personal Banking and Fairer Financial Services; and Rare, Genetic and Undiagnosed Conditions all-party parliamentary groups.

Political beliefs[]

Largan describes himself as an “independent minded moderate”. He is a member of the One Nation Caucus of Conservative MPs. Asked in an interview why he was a Conservative, Largan responded that they were the “least worst option."[23]

In the 2016 EU membership referendum, Largan voted Remain. In December 2019, Largan voted for the Withdrawal Agreement which allowed the UK to leave the EU on 31 January 2020.[24] In September 2020, Largan voted for the Internal Markets Bill, although he expressed concerns about the impact on the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.[25] Largan voted in favour of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and the EU in December 2020.[26]

Largan has campaigned strongly against antisemitism both locally and nationally, and has pushed for organisations to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.[27]

Largan is also a parliamentary officer of the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFoI). In 2019, he visited Israel and the West Bank as part of a CFoI delegation to engage with politicians, journalists, entrepreneurs, academics, and organisations that promote peaceful coexistence.[28] Largan supports a two-state solution.

During the Coronavirus pandemic he consistently called on the Government to get wage support, grants and loans into the hands of businesses and individuals as fast as possible.[29]

Largan is a member of the Conservative Environmental Network and is a keen advocate for environmental and conservation causes.[30]

Largan has actively campaigned for the restoration of peat moors. His first question in Parliament highlighted the importance of restoring peatlands to reduce fire risk and tackle climate change.[31]

Following two major wildfires in the High Peak caused by disposable barbecues, Largan introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill entitled ‘The Disposable Barbecues Bill’. The Bill, which received cross-party support, proposed banning the use of disposable barbeques on open moorland and giving local authorities the power to regulate (and potentially ban) their sale. In his speech, Largan made the case for protecting our beautiful countryside from wildfires, as well as setting out the importance of moorland restoration and educating people on the Countryside Code.[32]

Largan rebelled against the Government on an amendment to the Agriculture Bill, securing guarantees from the Government that animal welfare, food standards and environmental protections would not be compromised in trade deals.[33]

He also voted in favour of the amendment, put forward by crossbench peer Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, which would put a legal duty on water companies to prevent untreated sewage being released into rivers and waterways. The Government subsequently introduced their own similar amendment in what Largan described as “a big win for those of us campaigning to protect our rivers from pollution.”[34]

Largan supports the introduction of safe standing in Premier League and Championship football stadia and has engaged with various supporters’ clubs to discuss what more can be done can be done nationally to improve the matchday experience of football fans.[35]

Constituency campaigns[]

Largan has been a vocal advocate of local issues in his constituency. He has repeatedly campaigned for a major new healthcare centre in the High Peak. In August 2021 Derbyshire Community Healthcare Services NHS Foundation Trust has submitted a bid for a new healthcare centre in Buxton. In November 2021, Largan raised the bid in Parliament, asking the Health Minister to prioritise a new major healthcare centre for Buxton. The Government have agreed to consider the bid and confirmed that more capital funding for projects like this is available.[36]

He has also pushed to increase the capacity of local cancer services in his constituency. This includes the successful campaign for the reinstatement of the breast cancer mobile screening unit to Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith, and New Mills. The mobile screening unit was withdrawn in 2020 due to Covid, meaning women were asked to travel to Bakewell or Chesterfield instead. The extra distance would mean many women would be unable to make their screening appointment which could mean cancer going undiagnosed. In response, he launched a petition calling for the mobile screening unit to be reinstated, and led a debate in Parliament to make a case for reinstatement directly to the Health Minister. This secured a public commitment that breast screening would be brought back to the High Peak by July 2021 and the screening unit has now been reinstated.[37] In addition to this, in September 2021, Largan raised the issue of increasing access to face-to-face GP services at Prime Minister’s Questions, citing cancer diagnosis as a key concern.[38]

Largan has repeatedly made the case for investing in local road and rail capacity. In July 2020 he met with the Rail Minister as part of his campaign for a railway station at Gamesley. During the meeting he pushed for the Government to deliver much-needed transport links in Glossop, highlighting the benefits a station would bring to Gamesley and the wider Glossopdale area. The Minister confirmed the proposals are under active consideration within the Department for Transport.[39]

Additionally, in March 2021, Andrew Stephenson MP, Minister of State for Transport, announced £137 million for Network Rail to upgrade the Hope Valley line, which serves New Mills Central, Chinley, Edale, Hope and Bamford, crediting Largan’s longstanding campaign on this issue.[40]

He has also long campaigned for the Mottram Bypass and Glossop Spur built. He has raised the issue on several occasions in Parliament; met with the Roads Minister to discuss the issue; and worked on a cross-party basis with Stalybridge & Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds. This has ensured a commitment to the bypass was included in the Government’s Road Investment Strategy, and National Highways have signed a contract with Balfour Beatty to build the £228 million Mottram Bypass & Glossop Spur. Largan is now campaigning for the key second phase of the bypass around Tintwistle.[41]

Access to ultrafast broadband and reliable mobile phone coverage across the High Peak is another issue Largan has raised repeatedly in Parliament. The Peak District’s unique geography means that High Peak have some of the worst coverage blackspots in the entire country. Largan went out on-site with Openreach engineers to learn more about their local broadband network, and the challenges faced in rolling out full-fibre to the hardest to reach homes. Openreach has now included the High Peak in their plans to extend full-fibre.[42]

Largan has also lobbied to secure local investment to support jobs and businesses, particularly in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.  He helped to secure Buxton’s successful £6.6 million bid for funding to transform the town centre and build a high street for the future. After calling on High Peak Borough Council to fine tune their proposals and listen to the concerns of residents, the Council submitted a revised proposal which was fully approved by the Government in May 2020. High Peak Borough Council have indicated they will be committing an additional £4.2 million in match funding towards the regeneration, taking the total funding to over £10 million.[43]

Additionally, Largan has spoken about the importance of local school choice, campaigning for the expansion of Glossopdale School. Largan argued that this expansion is needed because the new school was built too small as the previous Council failed to factor in the increased demand and the new homes that were being built in the area. This has resulted in some local children being forced to go to school outside the area. The £4 million expansion is under construction and will provide an extra 240 places on the site at Newshaw Lane in Hadfield.[44]

Personal life[]

Largan lives in Glossop with his partner Beth.[1] He is the first High Peak Member of Parliament to live in Glossop since 1929.[45] His hobbies include fell walking and watching football.[46]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Largan, Robert, (born 29 May 1987), MP (C) High Peak, since 2019". WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. 2020. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u293950. ISBN 978-0-19-954088-4. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Coronavirus Bill". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Commons. 23 March 2020. col. 74–75.
  3. ^ "Class of 2019: Meet the new MPs". Politics Home. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  4. ^ Bury Times reader's letter: Bury South election hopeful Robert Largan hits back at claims he is has been parachuted in by Conservative. Bury Times (2021-05-18). Retrieved 2017-02-23.
  5. ^ Largan, Robert. Politics.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  6. ^ Conservatives unveil new parliamentary candidate for High Peak. Buxton Advertiser (2018-10-18). Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  7. ^ Sands End Ward — Hammersmith and Fulham. Local Elections Archive Project. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  8. ^ "New candidates selected: Daly in Bury North, Largan in High Peak". Conservative Home. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  9. ^ Slaughter left isolated as Labour councillors rebel against Mansion Tax. Hammersmith and Fulham Forum (2014-10-23). Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  10. ^ Special Motion 3 - Sands End Adventure Playground. Hammersmith and Fulham Council. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  11. ^ SPECIAL MOTION NO. 1 – SOLIDARITY WITH CITIZENS OF OTHER COUNTRIES. Hammersmith and Fulham Council. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  12. ^ “We support Uber” H&F Conservative councillors tell Boris. Hammersmith and Fulham Forum (2015-10-01). Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  13. ^ "New candidates selected: Daly in Bury North, Largan in High Peak". Conservative Home. Retrieved 19 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Ruth George sorry for claiming ex-Labour MPs may have Israeli backing". BBC News. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  15. ^ Robert Largan - MP for the High Peak constituency. Great British Life (2020-04-29). Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  16. ^ Robert Largan. Public Whip. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  17. ^ Public Health — 1 Dec 2020 at 18:45 PublicWhip. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  18. ^ Environment Bill — 20 Oct 2021 PublicWhip. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  19. ^ Shennan, Rhona (14 January 2021). MP expenses 2020: here’s how much politicians in Derbyshire claimed last year. Derbyshire Times. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  20. ^ “Robert Largan”. UK Parliament. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  21. ^ "Largan column: 'Pausing of smart motorway rollout a really positive step forward'". Quest Media Network. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  22. ^ "High Peak MP Robert Largan is totally committed to the green agenda". www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  23. ^ 7 November 2021, interview with Tom Newton-Dunn broadcast on Times Radio.
  24. ^ "European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill", Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), House of Commons. 9 January 2020.
  25. ^ “Internal Market Bill”, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), House of Commons. 16 September 2020. col. 385.
  26. ^ “European Union (Future Relationship) Bill”, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), House of Commons. 30 December 2020.
  27. ^ “IHRA Definition of Antisemitism: Universities”, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), House of Commons. 6 October 2020. col. 92WH-93WH.
  28. ^ CFI COORDINATES DELEGATION TO ISRAEL WITH CONSERVATIVE PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES. Conservative Friends of Israel. 16 July 2019
  29. ^ “Lockdown: Economic Support”, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), House of Commons. 3 November 2020. col. 174.
  30. ^ "Our Parliamentary Caucus". Conservative Environment Network. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  31. ^ "Environmental Standards", Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), House of Commons. 9 January 2020. col. 591.
  32. ^ "High Peak MP pushes for ban on disposable BBQs". Quest Media Network. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  33. ^ "High Peak MP rebels on Agriculture Bill". Robert Largan MP. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  34. ^ "High Peak MP speaks out after rebelling against Government on controversial sewage dumping vote". www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  35. ^ "Largan column: 'Buxton's FA Cup run shows football is nothing without fans'". Quest Media Network. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  36. ^ "Robert Largan MP welcomes new funding to upgrade and refurbish local hospitals". Robert Largan MP. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  37. ^ "Parliamentary debate on breast cancer screening secured by Robert Largan MP". Robert Largan MP. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  38. ^ "Engagements", Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), House of Commons. 22 September 2021. col. 274-275.
  39. ^ "Robert Largan MP meets Rail Minister to press for Gamesley Station". Robert Largan MP. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  40. ^ "Transport Minister announces £137 million to upgrade Hope Valley line". Robert Largan MP. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  41. ^ "Minister confirms early 2023 start date for Mottram Bypass". Robert Largan MP. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  42. ^ "Robert Largan MP gets to grips with Openreach's Rural Broadband Build". Robert Largan MP. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  43. ^ "Buxton secures £6.6m for town centre transformation". Robert Largan MP. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  44. ^ "Robert Largan MP welcomes funding agreement for Glossopdale School". Robert Largan MP. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  45. ^ "Largan's first MP column". Quest Media Network. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  46. ^ "About Robert". Robert Largan MP. Retrieved 22 February 2022.

External links[]

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for High Peak
2019–present 		Incumbent
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