Anthony Steen

Anthony Steen MP

I have been a Member of Parliament since 1974, originally representing the inner city seat of Liverpool Wavertree: I was the only Conservative MP in the city for most of my nine years there. I thoroughly enjoyed my work in Liverpool and feel I made a modest contribution to many who lived in the Old Swan, Broadgreen, Childwall and Valley wards.

My constituency was destroyed by the Boundary Commission in 1982, and I was forced to look for pastures new if I was to remain a Member of Parliament. I applied for one seat only - the South Hams - as I had long-term connections with the area and my wife's family hails from the West Country. I was delighted to be selected for the seat, and was returned between 1983 and 1992 with increased majorities. Following another boundary revision in 1996, I was selected to fight the new Totnes seat, which consisted of about 60% of the old South Hams seat. In the 1997 General Election, in which I was opposed by LibDem and Labour candidates, I also faced three new entrants, all Conservative Party members - a UKIP, Referendum, and local Conservative - and consequently I was returned with a vastly reduced majority of 877.

Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament I practised as a Barrister, mostly in landlord and tenant work. I was retained by the Ministry of Defence in court martial work and acted for the National and London Union of Head Teachers. I was also a youth leader in east London, working at a settlement house; as a social worker, I founded two national charities - Task Force (to help the old and lonely) and the Young Volunteer Force (which tackled urban deprivation.) The latter was launched by Harold Wilson when Prime Minister in 1968; now renamed the Community Development Project, it is one of the largest community organisations in the United Kingdom.

In Parliament, I have pursued many interests but have majored over the years on social issues, the care of the elderly, planning and rural deprivation. At present, I am a member of the Select Committees on European Legislation, Deregulation and Regional Aid; I am Joint Chairman of the All Party Group on Genetic Modification, Vice Chairman of the All Party Fisheries Committee, and Secretary of the Trade and Industry Committee. I am a member of countless other Committees and try to take an interest in all issues of concern to constituents.

I am a keen tennis and piano player (but not at the same time!) and enjoy the many outdoor pursuits available to us in Devon.

I am married to Carolyn - a child psychologist, former magistrate and local South Hams District Councillor. Whilst not party political, Carolyn stood for the Council as she was desperate to preserve the South Hams from over development and urban sprawl, and wanted to give a voice to the people of Thurlestone. We have one son, in banking, and one daughter, who is in television. We live in the centre of the constituency, in the heart of the South Hams.

You can find out more information about me and my work for the people of Totnes at my own Web site: www.anthonysteenmp.co.uk.