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{{short description|British Conservative politician}} |
{{short description|British Conservative politician}} |
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{{Use British English|date=August 2020}} |
{{Use British English|date=August 2020}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} |
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{{Infobox officeholder |
{{Infobox officeholder |
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| name = Nick Fletcher |
| name = Nick Fletcher |
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'''Nicholas Anthony Fletcher'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2019-12-18/debates/2E37F0BD-4DF0-40A6-B9F9-0607212DBFB1/MembersSworn|title=Members Sworn|website=Hansard.parliament.uk|date=18 December 2019|access-date=28 January 2020|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219003923/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-12-18/debates/2E37F0BD-4DF0-40A6-B9F9-0607212DBFB1/MembersSworn|url-status=live}}</ref> (born 15 July 1972)<ref>{{cite book|last=Brunskill|first=Ian|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1129682574|title=The Times guide to the House of Commons 2019 : the definitive record of Britain's historic 2019 General Election|date=19 March 2020|isbn=978-0-00-839258-1|pages=171|oclc=1129682574|access-date=8 June 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109125548/https://www.worldcat.org/title/times-guide-to-the-house-of-commons-2019-the-definitive-record-of-britains-historic-2019-general-election/oclc/1129682574|url-status=live}}</ref> is a British [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] politician who is the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Don Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Don Valley]] since the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite |
'''Nicholas Anthony Fletcher'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2019-12-18/debates/2E37F0BD-4DF0-40A6-B9F9-0607212DBFB1/MembersSworn|title=Members Sworn|website=Hansard.parliament.uk|date=18 December 2019|access-date=28 January 2020|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219003923/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-12-18/debates/2E37F0BD-4DF0-40A6-B9F9-0607212DBFB1/MembersSworn|url-status=live}}</ref> (born 15 July 1972)<ref>{{cite book|last=Brunskill|first=Ian|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1129682574|title=The Times guide to the House of Commons 2019 : the definitive record of Britain's historic 2019 General Election|date=19 March 2020|isbn=978-0-00-839258-1|pages=171|oclc=1129682574|access-date=8 June 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109125548/https://www.worldcat.org/title/times-guide-to-the-house-of-commons-2019-the-definitive-record-of-britains-historic-2019-general-election/oclc/1129682574|url-status=live}}</ref> is a British [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] politician who is the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Don Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Don Valley]] since the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/E14000667|title=Don Valley parliamentary constituency – Election 2019|website=BBC News|access-date=13 December 2019|archive-date=13 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613135720/https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/E14000667|url-status=live}}</ref> He is the first Conservative to ever be elected for the seat. |
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== Early life and career == |
== Early life and career == |
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Fletcher grew up in [[Armthorpe]], Doncaster, and attended [[The Armthorpe School|Armthorpe Comprehensive]] before gaining a [[Higher National Certificate|HNC]] in electronic engineering in 1992. In 1994, after being made redundant, he took a business course and established Analogue Electrics in Doncaster.<ref>{{cite web|date=25 February 2020|title=Class of 2019: Meet the new MPs|url=https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/class-of-2019-meet-the-new-mps|access-date=22 June 2020|website=Politics Home|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617034129/https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/class-of-2019-meet-the-new-mps|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nick Fletcher: 'I speak how people in Doncaster speak |
Fletcher grew up in [[Armthorpe]], Doncaster, and attended [[The Armthorpe School|Armthorpe Comprehensive]] before gaining a [[Higher National Certificate|HNC]] in electronic engineering in 1992. In 1994, after being made redundant, he took a business course and established Analogue Electrics in Doncaster.<ref>{{cite web|date=25 February 2020|title=Class of 2019: Meet the new MPs|url=https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/class-of-2019-meet-the-new-mps|access-date=22 June 2020|website=Politics Home|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617034129/https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/class-of-2019-meet-the-new-mps|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nick Fletcher: 'I speak how people in Doncaster speak – I need to deliver, I need to be a good MP'|url=https://www.nickfletcher.org.uk/news/nick-fletcher-i-speak-how-people-doncaster-speak-i-need-deliver-i-need-be-good-mp|access-date=22 June 2020|website=Nick Fletcher|archive-date=1 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601061014/https://www.nickfletcher.org.uk/news/nick-fletcher-i-speak-how-people-doncaster-speak-i-need-deliver-i-need-be-good-mp|url-status=dead}}</ref> Fletcher also owns a property portfolio consisting of ten residential properties.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicholas Fletcher MP, Don Valley|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/25859/nicholas_fletcher/don_valley|access-date=7 July 2021|website=TheyWorkForYou|archive-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427185025/https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/25859/nicholas_fletcher/don_valley|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Before being elected to Parliament, Fletcher served as the director of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce (Doncaster Chamber) from 19 December 2018 to 13 December 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=DONCASTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND ENTERPRISE |
Before being elected to Parliament, Fletcher served as the director of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce (Doncaster Chamber) from 19 December 2018 to 13 December 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=DONCASTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND ENTERPRISE – Filing history (free information from Companies House)|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/00368978/filing-history|access-date=23 June 2020|website=beta.companieshouse.gov.uk|archive-date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626071930/https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/00368978/filing-history|url-status=live}}</ref> He also served as the chairman of the Doncaster Conservative Federation.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=https://www.doncasterconservatives.org/about-us|access-date=23 June 2020|website=Doncaster Conservative Federation|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804221026/https://www.doncasterconservatives.org/about-us|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Fletcher is a [[landlord]], and he owns six houses and four flats in South Yorkshire; this is the highest number of residential, letting properties held by any MP.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Booth |first1=Robert |title=Hunt and Braverman among five in cabinet earning thousands as landlords |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/04/hunt-and-braverman-among-five-in-cabinet-earning-thousands-as-landlords |work=The Guardian |date=4 May 2023}}</ref> |
Fletcher is a [[landlord]], and he owns six houses and four flats in South Yorkshire; this is the highest number of residential, letting properties held by any MP.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Booth |first1=Robert |title=Hunt and Braverman among five in cabinet earning thousands as landlords |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/04/hunt-and-braverman-among-five-in-cabinet-earning-thousands-as-landlords |work=The Guardian |date=4 May 2023 |accessdate=17 October 2023}}</ref> |
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== Political commentary == |
== Political commentary == |
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In his defence, Fletcher claims this part of his speech was dealing with the wider issue of positive role-models for young men and that the controversy results from looking only at a short section. |
In his defence, Fletcher claims this part of his speech was dealing with the wider issue of positive role-models for young men and that the controversy results from looking only at a short section. |
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In June 2022, Fletcher sent letters to all schools in his constituency urging head teachers to |
In June 2022, Fletcher sent letters to all schools in his constituency urging head teachers to "push back" against the "transgender lifestyle", arguing that allowing children to take hormone blockers is "affirming something that is nothing more than a phase". The letters were not well received by Doncaster Schools, with one school reporting that the letters were "neither helpful nor positively received" <ref>{{cite news |date=17 June 2022 |title=MP Nick Fletcher schools letter says trans 'nothing more than a phase' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-61842311 |access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref> |
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== Parliamentary career == |
== Parliamentary career == |
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Fletcher won the seat of [[Don Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Don Valley]] from [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] incumbent [[Caroline Flint]] in 2019, with a majority of 8%, representing a swing of 8.1%. In doing so, he was the first Conservative to be elected for the seat, with the constituency having been held by [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] since 1922.<ref>{{cite news|date=13 December 2019|title=South Yorkshire seats go to Tories for first time|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50770596|access-date=22 June 2020|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111133915/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50770596|url-status=live}}</ref> |
Fletcher won the seat of [[Don Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Don Valley]] from [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] incumbent [[Caroline Flint]] in 2019, with a majority of 8%, representing a swing of 8.1%. In doing so, he was the first Conservative to be elected for the seat, with the constituency having been held by [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] since 1922.<ref>{{cite news|date=13 December 2019|title=South Yorkshire seats go to Tories for first time|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50770596|access-date=22 June 2020|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111133915/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50770596|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Fletcher delivered his maiden speech on 16 March 2020,<ref>{{cite web|title=Income tax (charge) |
Fletcher delivered his maiden speech on 16 March 2020,<ref>{{cite web|title=Income tax (charge) – Hansard|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-03-16/debates/734031E2-5BAE-4CD8-A3EB-2BFDE68B9978/IncomeTax(Charge)#contribution-D5741602-C2B5-4D1F-A397-C96AA86777F9|access-date=22 June 2020|website=hansard.parliament.uk|archive-date=23 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623010541/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-03-16/debates/734031E2-5BAE-4CD8-A3EB-2BFDE68B9978/IncomeTax(Charge)#contribution-D5741602-C2B5-4D1F-A397-C96AA86777F9|url-status=live}}</ref> where he spoke about the importance of role models for young people. |
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Since 2 March 2020, Fletcher has been a member of the [[Petitions Committee]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Petitions Committee membership agreed |
Since 2 March 2020, Fletcher has been a member of the [[Petitions Committee]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Petitions Committee membership agreed – News from Parliament|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/petitions-committee/news-parliament-2017/petitions-membership-agreed-19-21/|access-date=22 June 2020|website=UK Parliament|archive-date=25 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625200743/https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/petitions-committee/news-parliament-2017/petitions-membership-agreed-19-21/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Following an interim report on the connections between [[colonialism]] and properties now in the care of the [[National Trust]], including links with [[Atlantic slave trade|historic slavery]], Fletcher was among the signatories of a letter to ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' in November 2020 from the "[[Common Sense Group]]" of Conservative Parliamentarians. The letter accused the National Trust of being "coloured by [[cultural Marxist]] dogma, colloquially known as the '[[Woke#Woke as a pejorative term|woke]] agenda'".<ref>{{cite letter |recipient=the ''Daily Telegraph'' |subject=Britain's heroes |
Following an interim report on the connections between [[colonialism]] and properties now in the care of the [[National Trust]], including links with [[Atlantic slave trade|historic slavery]], Fletcher was among the signatories of a letter to ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' in November 2020 from the "[[Common Sense Group]]" of Conservative Parliamentarians. The letter accused the National Trust of being "coloured by [[cultural Marxist]] dogma, colloquially known as the '[[Woke#Woke as a pejorative term|woke]] agenda'".<ref>{{cite letter |recipient=the ''Daily Telegraph'' |subject=Britain's heroes |date=9 November 2020 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2020/11/09/letterswill-police-break-armistice-day-ceremonies-wednesday/ |access-date=20 May 2022 }}</ref> |
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Fletcher endorsed [[Kemi Badenoch]] during the [[July 2022 Conservative Party leadership election]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Torr |first1=George |title=Tory Doncaster MP Nick Fletcher backs Kemi Badenoch to become new Conservative party leader |url=https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politics/tory-doncaster-mp-nick-fletcher-backs-kemi-badenoch-to-become-new-conservative-party-leader-3766929 |access-date=13 July 2022 |work=Doncaster Free Press |date=13 July 2022}}</ref> After Badenoch was eliminated, Fletcher supported [[Liz Truss]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Next Tory Leader. Which MP is backing whom – the updated list. Truss on 149, Sunak on 132. The Foreign Secretary's lead amongst MPs grows. |url=https://conservativehome.com/2022/08/25/next-tory-leader-whos-backing-whom-our-working-list/ |access-date=28 September 2022 |work=ConservativeHome |date=25 August 2022}}</ref> |
Fletcher endorsed [[Kemi Badenoch]] during the [[July 2022 Conservative Party leadership election]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Torr |first1=George |title=Tory Doncaster MP Nick Fletcher backs Kemi Badenoch to become new Conservative party leader |url=https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politics/tory-doncaster-mp-nick-fletcher-backs-kemi-badenoch-to-become-new-conservative-party-leader-3766929 |access-date=13 July 2022 |work=Doncaster Free Press |date=13 July 2022}}</ref> After Badenoch was eliminated, Fletcher supported [[Liz Truss]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Next Tory Leader. Which MP is backing whom – the updated list. Truss on 149, Sunak on 132. The Foreign Secretary's lead amongst MPs grows. |url=https://conservativehome.com/2022/08/25/next-tory-leader-whos-backing-whom-our-working-list/ |access-date=28 September 2022 |work=ConservativeHome |date=25 August 2022}}</ref> |
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In February 2023 Fletcher raised concerns around the urban design concept of the "[[15-minute city]]" in the House of Commons, requesting time to discuss the matter he referred to as an "international socialist concept".<ref>{{ |
In February 2023 Fletcher raised concerns around the urban design concept of the "[[15-minute city]]" in the House of Commons, requesting time to discuss the matter he referred to as an "international socialist concept".<ref>{{cite news |last=Wainwright |first=Oliver |date=16 February 2023 |title=In praise of the '15-minute city' – the mundane planning theory terrifying conspiracists |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/feb/16/15-minute-city-planning-theory-conspiracists |access-date=16 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> |
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In June 2023, he was one of six Conservative MPs to vote against censuring [[Boris Johnson]] following the [[Commons Privileges Committee investigation into Boris Johnson|Commons Privileges Committee investigation]].<ref>{{ |
In June 2023, he was one of six Conservative MPs to vote against censuring [[Boris Johnson]] following the [[Commons Privileges Committee investigation into Boris Johnson|Commons Privileges Committee investigation]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Home |first=Conservative |date=20 June 2023 |title=The six Conservative MPs who voted against the motion to censure Johnson |url=https://conservativehome.com/2023/06/20/the-six-conservative-mps-who-voted-against-the-motion-to-censure-johnson/ |access-date=20 June 2023 |website=Conservative Home }}</ref> |
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== Affiliations == |
== Affiliations == |
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He is also chair of [https://equi-law.uk/appg-menboys/ APPG on Issues Affecting Men and Boys] |
He is also chair of [https://equi-law.uk/appg-menboys/ APPG on Issues Affecting Men and Boys] |
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Fletcher is a member of the [[Northern Research Group]], a group founded by Conservative MPs who represent constituencies in [[northern England]], [[Wales]] and the [[Scottish Borders]].<ref>{{cite web|title='The NRG is nothing like the ERG' |
Fletcher is a member of the [[Northern Research Group]], a group founded by Conservative MPs who represent constituencies in [[northern England]], [[Wales]] and the [[Scottish Borders]].<ref>{{cite web|title='The NRG is nothing like the ERG' – Yorkshire Tories strike constructive tone in meeting with PM|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/health/coronavirus/nrg-nothing-erg-yorkshire-tories-optimistic-after-meeting-pm-exuberance-new-year-returns-3037743|access-date=17 May 2021|website=www.yorkshirepost.co.uk|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517161958/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/health/coronavirus/nrg-nothing-erg-yorkshire-tories-optimistic-after-meeting-pm-exuberance-new-year-returns-3037743|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Maguire|first=Patrick|title=Northern Research Group levels up red wall rebellion|newspaper=[[The Times]]|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/northern-research-group-levels-up-red-wall-rebellion-2tq5w9b5q|access-date=17 May 2021|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517161957/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/northern-research-group-levels-up-red-wall-rebellion-2tq5w9b5q|url-status=live}}</ref> He is also a member of the [[Common Sense Group]], a Parliamentary organisation which represents the [[Social conservatism|socially conservative]] wing of the Conservative Party.<ref>{{cite web|last=Steerpike|title=Tories unveil anti-woke manifesto {{!}} The Spectator|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/tories-unveil-anti-woke-manifesto|access-date=17 May 2021|website=www.spectator.co.uk|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517161958/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/tories-unveil-anti-woke-manifesto|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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Fletcher resides in [[Bawtry]] and is married to Gail. They have two children, James and Lucy.<ref name="YorksPost">{{cite news|date=15 February 2020|title=Nick Fletcher: 'I speak how people in Doncaster speak |
Fletcher resides in [[Bawtry]] and is married to Gail. They have two children, James and Lucy.<ref name="YorksPost">{{cite news|date=15 February 2020|title=Nick Fletcher: 'I speak how people in Doncaster speak – I need to deliver, I need to be a good MP'|work=Nick Fletcher MP|url=https://www.nickfletcher.org.uk/news/nick-fletcher-i-speak-how-people-doncaster-speak-i-need-deliver-i-need-be-good-mp|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-date=1 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601061014/https://www.nickfletcher.org.uk/news/nick-fletcher-i-speak-how-people-doncaster-speak-i-need-deliver-i-need-be-good-mp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=About Nick Fletcher|url=https://www.nickfletcher.org.uk/about-nick-fletcher|access-date=23 June 2020|website=Nick Fletcher|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420004618/https://www.nickfletcher.org.uk/about-nick-fletcher|url-status=live}}</ref> He is a practising Christian. He described his election win as miracle performed by god, and has said publicly that "Christ is the greatest role model anyone can have."<ref>{{cite web|title='Christ is the greatest role model:' Doncaster Conservative MP praises God on debut Commons speech|url=https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/christ-greatest-role-model-doncaster-conservative-mp-praises-god-debut-commons-speech-2486375|access-date=23 June 2020|work=Doncaster Free Press|archive-date=25 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625201807/https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/christ-greatest-role-model-doncaster-conservative-mp-praises-god-debut-commons-speech-2486375|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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He has been a long-time runner. He ran the [[London Marathon]] in October 2021, raising over £2,000 for his chosen charity, the [[Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group]].<ref>{{cite web|title=MP Nick to take on marathon for CCLG|url=https://www.cclg.org.uk/news/mp-nick-to-take-on-marathon-|access-date=27 October 2021|website=www.cclg.org.uk|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027111939/https://www.cclg.org.uk/news/mp-nick-to-take-on-marathon-|url-status=live}}</ref> |
He has been a long-time runner. He ran the [[London Marathon]] in October 2021, raising over £2,000 for his chosen charity, the [[Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group]].<ref>{{cite web|title=MP Nick to take on marathon for CCLG|url=https://www.cclg.org.uk/news/mp-nick-to-take-on-marathon-|access-date=27 October 2021|website=www.cclg.org.uk|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027111939/https://www.cclg.org.uk/news/mp-nick-to-take-on-marathon-|url-status=live}}</ref> |
Nick Fletcher
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Official portrait, 2020
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Member of Parliament for Don Valley | |
Assumed office 12 December 2019 | |
Preceded by | Caroline Flint |
Majority | 3,630 (8.0%) |
Personal details | |
Born | (1972-07-15) 15 July 1972 (age 51) Armthorpe, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
Political party | Conservative |
Spouse | Gail Fletcher[1] |
Children | 2 |
Website | www |
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Nicholas Anthony Fletcher[2] (born 15 July 1972)[3] is a British Conservative Party politician who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Don Valley since the 2019 general election.[4] He is the first Conservative to ever be elected for the seat.
Fletcher grew up in Armthorpe, Doncaster, and attended Armthorpe Comprehensive before gaining a HNC in electronic engineering in 1992. In 1994, after being made redundant, he took a business course and established Analogue Electrics in Doncaster.[5][6] Fletcher also owns a property portfolio consisting of ten residential properties.[7]
Before being elected to Parliament, Fletcher served as the director of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce (Doncaster Chamber) from 19 December 2018 to 13 December 2019.[8] He also served as the chairman of the Doncaster Conservative Federation.[9]
Fletcher is a landlord, and he owns six houses and four flats in South Yorkshire; this is the highest number of residential, letting properties held by any MP.[10]
In his first notable media presence, as part of a debate in the UK Parliament's Westminster Hall, for International Men's Day 2021, Fletcher claimed that male role models in film and television were being replaced by women (namely Luke Skywalker, The Equalizer, Doctor Who, and The Ghostbusters), linking that to the number of young men turning to crime.[11][12][13] His apparent opposition to women playing these roles was criticised by fellow MPs (including Luke Pollard), and also condemned by social media users as sexist and misogynistic.[14]
In his defence, Fletcher claims this part of his speech was dealing with the wider issue of positive role-models for young men and that the controversy results from looking only at a short section.
In June 2022, Fletcher sent letters to all schools in his constituency urging head teachers to "push back" against the "transgender lifestyle", arguing that allowing children to take hormone blockers is "affirming something that is nothing more than a phase". The letters were not well received by Doncaster Schools, with one school reporting that the letters were "neither helpful nor positively received" [15]
Fletcher won the seat of Don Valley from Labour incumbent Caroline Flint in 2019, with a majority of 8%, representing a swing of 8.1%. In doing so, he was the first Conservative to be elected for the seat, with the constituency having been held by Labour since 1922.[16]
Fletcher delivered his maiden speech on 16 March 2020,[17] where he spoke about the importance of role models for young people.
Since 2 March 2020, Fletcher has been a member of the Petitions Committee.[18]
Following an interim report on the connections between colonialism and properties now in the care of the National Trust, including links with historic slavery, Fletcher was among the signatories of a letter to The Telegraph in November 2020 from the "Common Sense Group" of Conservative Parliamentarians. The letter accused the National Trust of being "coloured by cultural Marxist dogma, colloquially known as the 'woke agenda'".[19]
Fletcher endorsed Kemi Badenoch during the July 2022 Conservative Party leadership election.[20] After Badenoch was eliminated, Fletcher supported Liz Truss.[21]
In February 2023 Fletcher raised concerns around the urban design concept of the "15-minute city" in the House of Commons, requesting time to discuss the matter he referred to as an "international socialist concept".[22]
In June 2023, he was one of six Conservative MPs to vote against censuring Boris Johnson following the Commons Privileges Committee investigation.[23]
Fletcher sits as a Vice Chair or Officer for several All-Party Parliamentary Groups, including:
He is also chair of APPG on Issues Affecting Men and Boys
Fletcher is a member of the Northern Research Group, a group founded by Conservative MPs who represent constituencies in northern England, Wales and the Scottish Borders.[25][26] He is also a member of the Common Sense Group, a Parliamentary organisation which represents the socially conservative wing of the Conservative Party.[27]
Fletcher resides in Bawtry and is married to Gail. They have two children, James and Lucy.[28][29] He is a practising Christian. He described his election win as miracle performed by god, and has said publicly that "Christ is the greatest role model anyone can have."[30]
He has been a long-time runner. He ran the London Marathon in October 2021, raising over £2,000 for his chosen charity, the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group.[31]
{{cite press release}}
: CS1 maint: others (link)
Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
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Preceded by | Member of Parliament for Don Valley 2019–present |
Incumbent |