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Bob Russell
Shadow Defence Minister
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Biography
Bob Russell entered Parliament at his third attempt in 1997, gaining this seat from the Conservatives. He has been reselected to stand here at the next general election.
Bob Russell was educated at St Helena Secondary Modern School and North East Essex Technical College. He is a journalist by profession. For the 11 years prior to his election he was Publicity Information Officer for the University of Essex; he began his journalist career in 1963 as a Reporter on the Essex County Standard; in March 1968 (aged 21) he became the country's youngest Editor when he took over the Maldon & Burnham Standard. After four years in London as a Sub-Editor, he was for 13 years Press Officer for British Telecom. He is a season ticket holder for Colchester United Football Club (the U's) whom he has supported for 45 years. He is a local historian and an enthusiast for morris dancing.
Before becoming an MP, he was a councillor for over 20 years, initially for the Labour Party, then for the SDP, and finally for the Lib Dems; he was Leader of the Council 1987-91.
He is a member of the Shadow Defence team; before that he was a member of the Culture, Media and Sport team, the Regulatory Reform and Home Affairs Select Committees, and a Junior Whip. A further claim to fame - he could be the fastest typing MP (75 wpm)!
Education:
Myland Primary School, St Helena Secondary Modern School, North East Essex Technical College
Experience:
Bob is a journalist by profession having worked for a number of local papers, he spent 13 years as a Press Officer for Post Office Telecommunications/British Telecom and then 11 years as Publicity Information Officer for the University of Essex
Council experience:
Councillor on Colchester Borough Council since 1971, Mayor of Colchester 1986-87, Leader of the Council 1987-91
Parliamentary experience:
2005- Shadow Defence spokesperson, 2005- Regulatory Reform Select Committee, 2002-05 Shadow Ministerial Spokesman, Culture, Media and Sport. Junior Whip. In the 2001-2005 Parliament, Member of the Home Affairs Select Committee
Interests:
Season ticket holder for Colchester United Football Club
General election 2005 result
Seat: Colchester
Current MP: Bob Russell
Liberal Democrats | 47% | 21145 votes | |
Labour | 20% | 8886 votes | |
Conservatives | 33% | 14868 votes | |
Others | 0% | 0 votes |