Greater Manchester MP Andrew Stunell has spoken of his pride after being knighted in the Queen’s birthday honours list.
Hazel Grove’s Westminster representative will receive a knighthood as recognition for his record of distinguished political and public service.
And Mr Stunell – who was awarded the OBE in 1993 – was quick to praise his constituency team for the help they give him in carrying out his parliamentary duties and responsibilities.
“It’s a great honour and I’m delighted,” he told MM.
“I think it’s really a tribute to the team in Hazel Grove who’ve worked so hard to keep residents in touch and help local solve problems.”
The 70-year-old Liberal Democrat was first elected MP for Hazel Grove – previously Conservative-held – during the New Labour election landslide in 1997.
He has performed a number of roles within the parliamentary system, his first being Shadow Energy Minister between 1997 and 2005 when Paddy Ashdown was Lib Dem leader.
He later became the party’s deputy chief whip and then chief whip before a stint as Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
In 2003, the Sutton-born former architectural assistant succeeded in achieving the rare feat of seeing a Private Members’ Bill receive Royal Assent and become statute.
His Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004 aimed to promote greener and safer buildings by ensuring all new and existing homes were built or renovated with energy-saving features.
After the 2010 General Election, Mr Stunell formed part of the Liberal Democrat negotiating team as a deal was thrashed out with the Tory party to form a coalition.
As the newly-formed Government took shape, Mr Stunell was appointed to the position of Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
He lost his ministerial brief in last autumn’s reshuffle, allowing him to concentrate on serving his Hazel Grove constituents, a job he acknowledges as tough but one he relishes.
“Doing the job of an MP I sometimes think a magic wand would be more useful than a knighthood,” he added.
“But it really does give everyone locally a huge boost to know the work has been recognised.”
Picture courtesy of Communities and Local Government Office, with thanks.
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