Members

Ian Gibson

Ian Gibson MP

Born Sept 26 1938 is the Labour Member of Parliament for Norwich North.

Born in Dumfries, Scotland, educated locally at the Dumfries Academy. Attended University of Edinburgh, received a BSc in Genetics and became a Doctor of Philosophy. He studies at University of Indianna, USA, and at the University of Washington. He worked continuously for the University of East Anglia from 1965 until his election to parliament 32 years later. He initially worked as a scientist until 1971 before becoming a senior biology lecturer, then becoming Dean of Biology in 1991 and became an honorary Professor in 2003.
 
He was a member of the Executive of the Manufacturing, Science and Finance trade union for 24 years from 1972 and joined the Labour Party in 1983. He unsuccessfully contested Norwich North in the 1992 General Election when he was defeated by the sitting Conservative MP Patrick Thompson by just 266 votes. He was elected to the House of Commons in the 1997 Election, ~Thompson had retired and Gibson beat the new Conservative candidate by 9470 votes and remains the MP there. He made his maiden speech on June 17 1997.
 
He has been a member of the Science and Technology Select Committee since his election in 1997 and served as its chairman from 2001 – 2005. Whilst he was Dean of Biology at University of East Anglia,  he was head of the research team investigating cancer and has been awarded a Champion Award by Macmillan Cancer Relief for his work in support of people with cancer.
 
He has been married to Elizabeth since 1997 and has two daughters.