Eric Deakins
| |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Walthamstow | |
| In office 1974–1987 | |
| Member of Parliament for Walthamstow West | |
| In office 1970–1974 | |
| Tottenham Borough Council Member | |
| In office 1958-1961 1962-1963 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1932-10-07) 7 October 1932 (age 91) |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse |
Sandra Weaver (m. 1990) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | London School of Economics |
| |
Eric Petro Deakins (born 7 October 1932) is a British Labour Party politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Walthamstow West from 1970toFebruary 1974, and Walthamstow from that election until 1987.[1] He has also worked as an international public affairs consultant.[2]
Deakins was born as the elder son of the late Edward Deakins and Gladys Deakins. He was educated at Tottenham Grammar School and the London School of Economics, and became a commercial executive.[2] He served as a councillor on Tottenham Borough Council between 1958 and 1961, and from 1962 to 1963.[citation needed]
Deakins was unsuccessful in his first three attempts to be elected a Member of Parliament (MP), including in Finchleyin1959 against future Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (who entered the House of Commons on her own third attempt), and Chigwellin1966. However, he was later elected MP for Walthamstow Westin1970, reversing his by-election loss to the Conservatives of that seat in 1967.[2]
He gave his maiden speech on 16 July 1970. Speaking in favour of the second reading of the Misuse of Drugs Bill, he raised a series of reservations: "It attacks socially unacceptable drugs but does nothing about socially acceptable drugs."[3]
After boundary changes in 1974, Walthamstow West was merged into the new constituency of Walthamstow, which he continued to represent.[2]
During the Labour government of 1974–1979, under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan, Deakins was a junior minister for Trade (1974–1976) and the Department of Health and Social Security (1976–1979). He represented Walthamstow until he was defeated at the 1987 general election, gaining 34% of the vote compared to the 39% polled by his Conservative opponent Hugo Summerson. His defeat was against the national trend, but seemed to some political observers to follow a rates increase by the Labour-controlled Waltham Forest London Borough Council. As of 2021[update], this is the last time that the Labour Party has not won Walthamstow.[4][5][6]
Outside politics, his interests are writing, cinema, yoga and football. In 1990, he married Sandra Weaver; they have a son and two daughters. He lives in Camden Town, north west London.[2]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of Parliament for Walthamstow West 1970 – February 1974 |
Constituency abolished |
| New constituency | Member of Parliament for Walthamstow February 1974 – 1987 |
Succeeded by |
| International |
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| National |
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| People |
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| Other |
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