Jeffrey Ennis - Political Career

Political Career

Ennis was elected as councillor in the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley in 1980, becoming the deputy leader in 1988, and was leader 1995-1996, standing down from the council in 1997.

Ennis was elected to the House of Commons at the 1996 Barnsley East by-election following the death of Terry Patchett. Jeff Ennis held the seat at the 12 December 1996 by-election with a majority of 13,181. He made his maiden speech on 14 January 1997. A few months after his election to Westminster he had to go back to his electorate at the 1997 general election for the newly drawn Barnsley East and Mexborough seat, following the redrawing of boundaries and the abolishment of the former Barnsley East.

Following the 1997 general election, Ennis was appointed the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Minister of State at the Department of Health Tessa Jowell, and then in her capacity of Minister of State at the Department for Education and Employment. He became a member of the Education & Skills Select Committee following the 2001 general election.

In July 2007, he was appointed the PPS to the Minister for the Cabinet Office Ed Miliband.

On 9 February 2010, Ennis announced that he would stand down at the 2010 general election.

Ennis will stand as the Labour Party candidate for the North East Ward in the May 2012 Barnsley local council elections