Gerald is one of the most effective operators in the House of Commons. He is passionate about his opposition to hunting, and as a Jew about Palestine and the Middle East. He has been a supporter of Anti-social Behaviour Orders which have had a beneficial effect on our constituency, which has had more than its fair share of gang warfare and disorder. He was for many years the Chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee on culture media and sports and the author of "How to be a Minister", "Meet Me in St Louis" and other books.
He does not pull his punches. He called George Bush "the most intellectually backward American president in my political lifetime" and denounced Israel as a "pariah state" under prime minister Ariel Sharon. He writes and broadcasts assiduously and is not afraid of laying into journalists and broadcasters - "can anyone have a greater sense of his own importance than a television presenter, elected by no one, who harangues and upbraids elected politicians and gets paid far more than they for doing so?"
He has been our MP since this constituency was created in 1983, having the MP in Ardwick (which covered part of the present constituency) since 1970. He is a member of the GMB union. Having survived a number of attempts to deselect him over the years he shows no signs of wanting, or needing, to retire and is immensly popular in his constituency, both among Labour party members and ordinary voters. He is the President of many local organisations, including the friends of the various Parks, the Air Cadets and many sporting clubs. He is tireless in dealing with constituent's problems and has a huge postbag.
Some of Gerald's speeches:
Crime in Gorton 20 June 2005
Racism and Immigration 23 May 2005
Hunting 16 Nov 2004
Iraq War 26 Feb 2003
Crime and Disorder Bill 8 Apr 2003
The Loyal Address 14th May 1997
Leeds Council Schools;
Leeds Grammar School
The Queen's College, Oxford (MA philosophy, politics and economics 1953)
Assistant general secretary, Fabian Society 1954-55;
Political staff, "Daily Mirror" 1955-64;
Political correspondent, "New Statesman" 1964-65;
Parliamentary press liaison officer, Labour Party 1965-70
MP for Ardwick 1970-83
MP for Manchester Gorton 1983-
Parliamentary Under-Sec of State for the Environment 1974-75
Parliamentary Under-Sec of State for Industry 1975
Minister of State for Industry 1975-79
Opposition Spokesman, Environment 1979-80
Chief Opposition Spokesman, Environment 1980-83
Shadow Home Secretary 1983-87
Shadow Foreign Secretary 1987-92
Member, NEC 1991-92
27/6/05