18 Facts About Tony Cunningham

Sir Thomas Anthony Cunningham was born on 16 September 1952 and is a British politician who served as member of parliament for Workington from 2001 to 2015.

Tony Cunningham served in junior posts in the Blair and Brown governments from 2004 to 2010, and on Ed Miliband's opposition front bench from 2011 to 2013.

Tony Cunningham was born in Workington and educated at the Workington Grammar School on Stainburn Road before attending the University of Liverpool where he received a BA degree in History and Politics in 1975, and the Didsbury College of Education, Manchester where he qualified as a teacher with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in 1976.

Tony Cunningham began his teaching career at the Alsager Comprehensive School on Hassall Road in 1976 until 1980 when he taught at the Mikunguni Trade School in Zanzibar.

Tony Cunningham returned to Britain in 1983 to teach history at Netherhall School, Maryport on Netherhall Road in Maryport and he remained in post until his election to the European Parliament.

Tony Cunningham was elected a councillor to the Allerdale District Council in 1987, and became the leader of the council in 1992, he stepped down from both the leadership and the council in 1994.

At the 2001 general election, Tony Cunningham was elected as member of parliament for Workington, succeeding Dale Campbell-Savours in the safe Labour seat.

Tony Cunningham made his maiden speech on 13 July 2001.

Tony Cunningham was a member of the European Scrutiny Select Committee from 2001 until 2004, when he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to DEFRA Minister Elliot Morley.

Tony Cunningham was promoted to an Assistant Whip after the 2005 general election, and served as a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury from the 2008 government reshuffle until Labour's election defeat in 2010.

Tony Cunningham was knighted in the 2012 Birthday Honours for public and political service.

Tony Cunningham was removed from his role in the October 2013 reshuffle, and served on the International Development Select Committee from 2013 to 2015.

Tony Cunningham was one of the few Labour MPs to vote against the Marriage Bill in 2013.

In June 2014, Tony Cunningham announced that he would not be standing again at the next election.

Tony Cunningham has been married to Anne Margaret Gilmore since 1984; he has a stepson, a stepdaughter, and a son and a daughter with his wife.

Tony Cunningham is a deputy lieutenant of Cumbria, and has been a patron of both the Voluntary Service Overseas and Mines Advisory Group.

Tony Cunningham is active in sports, he is a qualified rugby union coach and referee, and has played cricket and football, as well as rugby competitively.

Tony Cunningham played for the parliamentary football team, and he speaks some Swahili.