Kerry Pollard

Kerry Pollard. A British Labour Party politician, he served as the Member of Parliament for St Albans from 1997 to 2001. His tenure coincided with the first Tony Blair administration, and he was known for his advocacy on housing and local government issues. Following his parliamentary career, he remained active in public service and community roles within Hertfordshire.

Early life and education

Born in 1944 in Stoke-on-Trent, he grew up in the West Midlands region. He pursued his higher education at the University of Birmingham, where he studied civil engineering. His early professional career was in the construction and housing sector, working for a period with the National House Building Council. This technical background provided a foundation for his later political interests in planning and social housing policy.

Political career

He was first elected to the House of Commons in the 1997 general election, winning the St Albans constituency from the incumbent Conservative Peter Lilley. His election was part of the larger Labour landslide that brought Tony Blair to 10 Downing Street. During his single term, he served as a member of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee and was an officer of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Construction Industry. He was a strong supporter of the Government of Wales Act 1998 and maintained a focus on local issues, including opposing the expansion of London Luton Airport. He lost his seat in the 2001 election to Conservative candidate Anne Main.

Post-parliamentary work

After leaving the House of Commons, he continued his involvement in public life. He served as the Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Housing in the East of England region, applying his expertise to housing policy debates. He was appointed as a magistrate, sitting on the bench in Hertfordshire. He also took on roles within the National Health Service, including as a non-executive director for the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust. He remained active in the Labour Party at a local level and contributed to community projects in St Albans.

Personal life

He is married and has two children. A long-term resident of Hertfordshire, he has been involved with various local charities and cultural institutions. His interests include architecture, history, and supporting St Albans Cathedral. He is also a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for St Albans Category:Alumni of the University of Birmingham Category:People from Stoke-on-Trent