Parliamentary Career
He has been an MP since 1987 when he won his seat by 856 votes, and has often voted against the government on issues such as the Iraq War. After a succession of MPs: Alfred Robens (1950–1960), the deselected but well liked in some quarters Eddie Milne (MP 1960–1974), and the disgraced John Ryman who was perceived as remote, controversial and distant from the community, Campbell has been associated with the regeneration of the former borough of Blyth Valley. He is an outspoken socialist.
Campbell is noted for accidentally supporting the first National Fetish Day, due to him misunderstanding the meaning of the word "Fetish". Campbell said in an interview, "I thought a fetish was a worry, like worrying about backing the right horse." When the government nationalised Northern Rock in 2008, Campbell declared it the People's Bank and opened an account.
In May 2009, during the high-profile MPs expenses scandal, Campbell agreed to give back over £6000 he had claimed for furnishings in his London home.
Read more about this topic: Ronnie Campbell
Famous quotes containing the word career:
“Each of the professions means a prejudice. The necessity for a career forces every one to take sides. We live in the age of the overworked, and the under-educated; the age in which people are so industrious that they become absolutely stupid.”
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)