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Robert Goodwill

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Sir Robert Goodwill (born 31 December 1956) is a British Conservative Party politician and farmer who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Scarborough and Whitby from 2005 to 2024. He was previously a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Yorkshire and the Humber. Goodwill served in Theresa May's government as Minister of State at the Home Office, the Department for Education, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.[1]

The Right Honourable
Sir Robert Goodwill
Official Portrait, 2020
Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee
In office
25 May 2022 – 30 May 2024
Preceded byGeraint Davies (interim)
Succeeded byAlistair Carmichael
Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food
In office
5 March 2019 – 25 July 2019
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byGeorge Eustice
Succeeded byGeorge Eustice
Minister of State for Children and Families
In office
12 June 2017 – 9 January 2018
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byEdward Timpson
Succeeded byNadhim Zahawi
Minister of State for Immigration
In office
16 July 2016 – 11 June 2017
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byJames Brokenshire
Succeeded byBrandon Lewis
Minister of State for Transport
In office
9 December 2015 – 16 July 2016
Prime MinisterDavid Cameron
Preceded byJohn Hayes
Succeeded byJohn Hayes
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
In office
7 October 2013 – 9 December 2015
Prime MinisterDavid Cameron
Preceded byNorman Baker
Succeeded byThe Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Lord Commissioner of the Treasury
In office
4 September 2012 – 7 October 2013
Prime MinisterDavid Cameron
Preceded byJames Duddridge
Succeeded byKaren Bradley
Member of Parliament
for Scarborough and Whitby
In office
5 May 2005 – 30 May 2024
Preceded byLawrie Quinn
Succeeded byAlison Hume
Member of the European Parliament
for Yorkshire and the Humber
In office
15 July 1999 – 1 May 2004
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byGodfrey Bloom
Personal details
Born (1956-12-31) 31 December 1956 (age 67)
Terrington, England
Political partyConservative
SpouseMaureen Short
Children3
EducationNewcastle University
WebsiteOfficial website

Goodwill is a member of the Cornerstone Group of Conservative MPs. He describes himself as a "staunch Eurosceptic"[2] but supported Remain in the EU referendum.[3]

Early life

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Goodwill was born in Terrington, North Riding of Yorkshire, and was privately educated at the Quaker Bootham School[4] in York and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture in 1979.[citation needed]

He has been the managing director of Mowthorpe (UK) Ltd. since 1995 which offers environmentally friendly burials in the North Yorkshire countryside.[5]

Political career

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Goodwill is a member of the Conservative Party and contested his first constituency, Redcar, at the 1992 general election, where he finished second, 11,577 votes behind the sitting Labour MP, Mo Mowlam. He unsuccessfully contested Cleveland and Richmond in the 1994 European election. He again attempted to enter the House of Commons at the 1997 general election when he was selected for the marginally held Conservative seat of North West Leicestershire following the deselection[citation needed] of the sitting MP David Ashby. Goodwill was defeated by Labour's David Taylor by 13,219 votes. In 1998, he contested the Yorkshire South European Parliament by-election, but was again defeated.

He was elected as a Member of the European Parliament at the 1999 European Parliament election for the Yorkshire and the Humber region, serving in Brussels and Strasbourg until the 2004 European Parliament election. He was deputy leader of the Conservative MEPs during his term, and also opposed the Conservative Party's membership of the European People's Party in the European Parliament.[6]

From 1999 to 2004, he was a member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health, and Consumer Policy, and from 2001 to 2004 was a member of the Committee on Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities.[7]

In September 2001, he participated in the European Parliament Observer Mission on the Presidential Election in Belarus.[8] In 2003, Goodwill criticised the Council of the European Union's proposal to ban smoky bacon flavoured crisps, calling it "over the top" and "disproportionate to the possible risks."[9] During the 2004 European Parliament election campaign, The Guardian classed Goodwill as "pro-war" as a result of his supporting a motion in the European Parliament that said the Iraq War was inevitable and the result of Saddam Hussein's actions.[10]

In the 2005 general election, Goodwill stood in the constituency of Scarborough and Whitby, winning the seat from Labour incumbent Lawrie Quinn by 1,245 votes. He made his maiden speech on 6 June 2005.

In August 2005, Goodwill co-authored a letter to The Spectator with five other newly elected Conservative MPs, criticising the "decadent" nature of British society.[11] In the 2005 Conservative Party leadership election, Goodwill supported Liam Fox's candidacy, declaring his support on 14 October 2005.[12][13]

After spending 18 months as a member of the Transport Select Committee, he was appointed an Opposition Whip by David Cameron in 2006 and promoted to the post of Shadow Roads Minister in the Transport team in 2007. He was re-elected with an increased majority of 8,130 at the 2010 general election and appointed to the government as a Whip with responsibility for Treasury and DEFRA business. Goodwill is secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Flag Group.[14]

In the October 2013 ministerial reshuffle, he became Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, replacing Norman Baker.[15] Goodwill was given responsibility for aviation policy[16] Goodwill had previously established himself as a strong opponent of a third runway at Heathrow, inviting Greenpeace members to plant a tree in his constituency as a gesture of "solidarity" with opponents of Heathrow expansion.[16] Goodwill was re-appointed to his position as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport following the 2015 general election and the election of a Conservative majority government. He was the minister responsible for cycling, aviation, road safety, walking and High Speed 2.[17] He was promoted to Minister of State at the Department of Transport in December 2015.

In January 2016, the Labour Party unsuccessfully proposed an amendment in Parliament that would have required private landlords to make their homes "fit for human habitation.". According to Parliament's register of interests, Goodwill was one of 72 Conservative MPs who voted against the amendment who personally derived an income from renting out property. The Conservative Government had responded to the amendment that they believed homes should be fit for human habitation but did not want to pass the new law that would explicitly require it.[18]

In the 2016 European Union membership referendum, in which the UK voted to 'Leave' the EU by 52% to 48%, Goodwill supported a 'Remain' vote[3] despite stating on his own website he was a "staunch Eurosceptic".[2]

In the Conservative Party leadership election following David Cameron's resignation as Prime Minister, Goodwill supported Liam Fox's candidacy, acting as his proposer (Fox was eliminated in the first round of voting). The eventual winner, Theresa May, moved Goodwill to the Home Office, where he assumed the role of Minister of State for Immigration.[19] In the cabinet reshuffle following the 2017 general election, Goodwill was appointed as education minister (Goodwill was succeeded by policing Minister Brandon Lewis).

Goodwill was dismissed from the post of Children's Minister on 9 January 2018.[20]

Goodwill joined the Environmental Audit Select Committee on 22 January 2018 and the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee on 5 March 2018. He remained on these two committees until he rejoined the government in March 2019, when he became Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries, & Food, replacing George Eustice who had resigned over Brexit.

In the 2019 Conservative Party leadership election, Goodwill supported Jeremy Hunt's candidacy.[21] On 25 July 2019, he was dismissed from his role as Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food by newly elected Prime Minister Boris Johnson and replaced by George Eustice.[22]

In the 2019 general election, Goodwill was reelected with a majority of 10,270.[23]

In 2021, he considered challenging Graham Brady for the chairmanship of the 1922 Committee but eventually withdrew from the race, backing the only opposing candidate Heather Wheeler.[24][25][needs update]

In May 2022, Goodwill was elected as chairman of the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Select Committee.[26] He is a member of Conservative Friends of the Countryside, a right-wing group that advocates for the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (which have been banned in the EU as they are lethal to bees), opposes the re-introduction of wild beavers to the UK, supports the burning of peatland (which can have adverse environmental effects) and opposes a ban on imports of endangered animals killed for trophy hunting.[27]

He announced in April 2023 that he would retire at the 2024 general election.[28]

Expenses

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In 2000, whilst working as a Conservative MEP, Goodwill highlighted the generous allowances given to MEPs when he stated that he bought return air tickets from Bradford to Brussels for £160 and claimed, legally, £500.[29] The Conservative Party criticised his actions. Goodwill later donated £2,000 to local charities following feedback from constituents.[30]

In 2013, following on from a review of capital gains made by MPs from their tax-payer funded second homes, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority ordered Goodwill to repay £4,963.39.[31]

Personal life

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He married Maureen Short in November 1987 in North Yorkshire, and they have two sons (born May 1989 and June 1991) and a daughter (born May 1994). He employs his wife as a part-time caseworker on a salary just under £30,000.[32]

He was once the chairman of the cereals and livestock committee of the North Yorkshire National Farmers Union (1986–1988). He takes a keen interest in steam engines and owns several; he once brought an engine back from the former Czechoslovakia to restore it.[citation needed] He stepped in to save the Scarborough Pleasure Ship, Coronia, in January 2011 so that the historic Dunkirk-veteran vessel can continue to be based in the harbour there.[33]

Goodwill also owns a 1900 De Dion Bouton Veteran Car that he races on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.[citation needed]

Honours

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Commonwealth honours

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Commonwealth honours
Location Date Appointment Post-nominal letters
  United Kingdom 24 April 2018 – Present Member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council[34] PC
  United Kingdom 31 December 2021 – Present Knight Bachelor[35] Kt


References

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  1. ^ "Robert Goodwill MP: Current Roles". UK Government.
  2. ^ a b "About Robert". Robert Goodwill. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  3. ^ a b "EU Referendum". robertgoodwill.co.uk. 14 June 2016.
  4. ^ Woodland, Jenny (2011). Bootham School Register. York, England: BOSA.
  5. ^ "Major Tom and his missus get spaced out". The Observer. 8 October 2006.
  6. ^ "Head-to-head: Should Tories quit the EPP?". BBC News. 6 June 2006. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  7. ^ "Robert Goodwill". European Parliament MEPs. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Press statement by the European Parliament Observer Mission on the Presidential Elections in Belarus" (PDF). European Parliament. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  9. ^ "Smoky bacon flavour may be banned". BBC News. 6 May 2003. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  10. ^ Hussain, Nasser (7 June 2004). "Iraq: how your MEP voted". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  11. ^ "Muslims 'right about decadent UK'". BBC News. 11 August 2005. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  12. ^ "Fox closes in on Clarke". Conservative Home. 14 October 2005. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  13. ^ "Tory leadership: Who backs whom?". The Guardian. 20 October 2005. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  14. ^ "Register of All Party Groups". UK Parliament.
  15. ^ "Norman Baker leaves Transport Department in reshuffle". Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation. 9 October 2013. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013.
  16. ^ a b Morris, Nigel. "New aviation minister Robert Goodwill opposed third runway at Heathrow". The Independent. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  17. ^ MacMichael, Simon (13 May 2015). "Robert Goodwill reappointed minister for cycling". road.cc. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  18. ^ "Tories vote down law requiring landlords make their homes fit for human habitation". Independent. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  19. ^ Ashmore, John (16 July 2016). "Leave campaigners among junior ministerial appointments as Remainers resign". Politics Home. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  20. ^ "Children's minister Robert Goodwill sacked". Schools Week. 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  21. ^ Courea, Eleni (5 June 2021). "Frontbench backing for Sir Graham Brady's 1922 rival". The Times. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  22. ^ "MP Robert Goodwill loses ministerial post, but says "the work goes on"". thescarboroughnews.co.uk. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  23. ^ "Scarborough & Whitby parliamentary constituency – Election 2019". BBC News. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  24. ^ "Graham Brady Facing Challenge For Tory 1922 Committee Chair Role". HuffPost UK. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  25. ^ "1922 Committee: Sir Graham Brady re-elected as chair despite plot to oust him by PM's supporters". Sky News. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  26. ^ Duncan, Grace (29 May 2022). "Sir Robert Goodwill elected chair of Efra Committee, replacing Neil Parish". The Grocer. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  27. ^ Horton, Helena (28 October 2023). "Tory environment select committee chair told to quit over ties to lobby group". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Long-standing MP to step down at next general election". BBC News. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  29. ^ "Expenses face axe as MEPs offered a rise". independent.ie. 20 May 2000. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  30. ^ "Archive news from the York Press". www.yorkpress.co.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  31. ^ "Payback Time for MP Robert Goodwill". North Yorks Enquirer. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  32. ^ "IPSA". GOV.UK. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  33. ^ "MP Robert Goodwill saves The Coronia". Gazette & Herald. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  34. ^ Tilbrook, Richard (24 April 2018). "Orders Approved and Business Transacted at the Privy Council held by the Queen at Windsor Castle on 24th April 2018" (PDF). The Privy Council of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  35. ^ "No. 63571". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 2022. p. N2.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Scarborough and Whitby
2005–2024 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of State for Transport
2015–2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of State for Immigration
2016–2017 		Succeeded by
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