Richard Howitt

Richard Howitt is a British politician and former Member of the European Parliament who served from 1994 to 2016, representing the East of England (European Parliament constituency) for the Labour Party (UK). He was a member of the Party of European Socialists and worked closely with other prominent politicians, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and Neil Kinnock. Howitt's work in the European Parliament focused on issues related to human rights, sustainability, and social justice, often collaborating with organizations like Amnesty International and the European Trade Union Confederation. His commitment to European integration and social democracy led him to work with other like-minded politicians, such as Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Wim Kok.

● Early Life and Education

Richard Howitt was born in 1962 in London, England, and grew up in a family with strong Labour Party (UK) roots. He was educated at Aylesbury Grammar School and later studied at University of Essex, where he earned a degree in Government and Sociology. During his time at university, Howitt was involved in various student politics activities, including the National Union of Students, and was influenced by the ideas of Harold Wilson and Michael Foot. He also developed an interest in European politics and international relations, which would later shape his career as a politician.

● Career

Before entering politics, Howitt worked as a trade union official for the National Union of Public Employees and later for the GMB (trade union), where he was involved in campaigns related to workers' rights and social justice. He was also a member of the Fabian Society and contributed to the New Statesman and other publications, often writing about issues related to European integration and social democracy. Howitt's experience in the trade union movement and his involvement in Labour Party (UK) politics prepared him for his future role as a Member of the European Parliament.

● European Parliament

As a Member of the European Parliament, Howitt served on several committees, including the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Committee on Human Rights. He worked closely with other Members of the European Parliament, such as Martin Schulz and Hannes Swoboda, to promote European integration and social justice. Howitt was also a strong advocate for human rights and sustainability, often working with organizations like the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights and the International Labour Organization. His commitment to European integration led him to support the Treaty of Lisbon and the Treaty of Amsterdam, and he worked with other politicians, such as Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy, to promote European cooperation.

● Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Howitt has received several awards and recognition for his work on human rights and sustainability. He was awarded the Robert Schuman Medal for his contributions to European integration and received the Polish Order of Merit for his work on Polish-British relations. Howitt has also been recognized by organizations like the Amnesty International and the European Trade Union Confederation for his commitment to social justice and human rights. His work has been acknowledged by prominent politicians, including Jerzy Buzek and Herman Van Rompuy, and he has received awards from institutions like the European University Institute and the College of Europe.

● Personal Life

Howitt is married to Caroline Howitt and has two children. He is a member of the GMB (trade union) and the Fabian Society, and has been involved in various charity work, including supporting organizations like Oxfam and the Red Cross. Howitt is also a strong supporter of Cambridge United F.C. and has been involved in various community activities in his constituency, often working with organizations like the Cambridge City Council and the East of England Development Agency. His commitment to social justice and human rights has led him to support various causes, including the Make Poverty History campaign and the Trade Justice Movement.