Graham Stuart (politician) - Parliamentary Career

Parliamentary Career

Stuart was elected to the House of Commons as Member of Parliament (MP) for Beverley and Holderness in the 2005 general election with a majority of 2,580. Following his election, he said "I plan to be upfront and have a high profile, not only within the constituency but nationally". He sat as a member of two select committees; the Environmental Audit Select Committee and the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee. He was elected a member of the Conservative Party Board by his fellow MPs in 2006. He has been described as being pugnacious and has raised local and national issues in Parliament, including "thousands of issues on behalf of his constituents". Stuart was reelected in the 2010 general election, increasing his majority to 12,987 votes. He was elected as chair of the Education Select Committee in June 2010.

In 2005, he founded Beverley and Holderness Pensioners Action Group, Community Hospitals Acting Nationally Together (CHANT), a cross-party campaign group and Hull and Holderness Opposing the Incinerator (HOTI Group). He is vice-chairman of the GLOBE UK branch of Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment. Following the Parliamentary expenses scandal, Stuart defended his expenses in June 2009, which included spending £426 on bed linen and towels.

His successful campaigns in the last Parliament also include defeating legislation on home education and saving the Beverley Pasture Masters. Since 2010 he has won the battle for lower Humber Bridge tolls, successfully persuaded the government to improve the A164 and build the Beverley Bypass. In 2012 he defeated a proposed increase in VAT on static caravans, which are largely manufactured in the East Riding of Yorkshire.