Dennis Skinner
Dennis Edward Skinner (born 11 February 1932) is a British former politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolsover for 49 years, from 1970 to 2019. A member of the Labour Party, he is known for his left-wing views and republican sentiments. Before entering Parliament, he worked for more than 20 years as a miner.
Dennis Skinner | |
|---|---|
Skinner in 2011 | |
| Honorary President of the Socialist Campaign Group | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Member of Parliament for Bolsover | |
| In office 18 June 1970 – 6 November 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Harold Neal |
| Succeeded by | Mark Fletcher |
| Chair of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party | |
| In office 7 October 1988 – 6 October 1989 | |
| Leader | Neil Kinnock |
| Preceded by | Neil Kinnock |
| Succeeded by | Jo Richardson |
| President of the Derbyshire Area of the National Union of Mineworkers | |
| In office June 1966 – 25 June 1970 | |
| Preceded by | Herbert Parkin |
| Succeeded by | Raymond Ellis (1972) |
| Alderman on the Clay Cross Council | |
| In office 1962–1970 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Dennis Edward Skinner 11 February 1932 Clay Cross, Derbyshire, England |
| Political party | Labour |
| Other political affiliations | Socialist Campaign Group (1982–present) |
| Spouse |
Mary Parker
(m. 1960; sep. 1989) |
| Domestic partner | Lois Blasenheim |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Ruskin College |
| Profession | Miner, politician |
| Signature | |
| Nickname | Beast of Bolsover |
Nicknamed the "Beast of Bolsover", Skinner belonged to the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs. He was a member of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party, with brief breaks, for 30 years, and was the committee's chairman from 1988 to 1989. He was one of the longest serving members of the House of Commons and the longest continuously serving Labour MP. He is a lifelong Eurosceptic.
During his parliamentary career, Skinner was suspended from Parliament on at least ten occasions, usually for unparliamentary language when attacking opponents. Perhaps the most notable example of this occurred in 2016, when he referred to David Cameron as 'Dodgy Dave' during a parliamentary debate about the Panama Papers. He was also known for regularly heckling upon the arrival of Black Rod in the House of Commons chamber during the State Opening of Parliament.