Hilton Dawson
Thomas Hilton Dawson (born 30 September 1953) is a British politician who was the Labour Party Member of Parliament for the Lancashire constituency of Lancaster and Wyre from 1997 until 2005. In 2014, Dawson became the chairman of North East Party.[1] In September 2019, Dawson stated that he would be campaigning with the Liberal Democrats in the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency.
Hilton Dawson | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Lancaster and Wyre | |
| In office 2 May 1997 – 11 April 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Ben Wallace |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 September 1953 Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats (since 2019) |
| Other political affiliations | Labour (1979–2014) North East (2014–2019) |
| Spouse(s) | Susan Williams |
| Alma mater | Lancaster University, University of Warwick |
Early life
Dawson was born on 30 September 1953 in Stannington, Northumberland, England. He is the son of Harry Dawson and his wife Sally, both teachers. He attended Ashington County Grammar School (now known as Ashington Academy)[2] on Green Lane in Ashington. At the University of Warwick, he gained a BA in Politics and Philosophy in 1975. From Lancaster University, he gained a Diploma in Social Work.
He worked as a Social Work Manager from 1983–97, involving Children's Homes, Fostering and Adoption, and Day care.
Parliamentary career
In 2004 Dawson announced he would not be seeking re-election at the next General Election, seeking to return to work in children's services – his former career was as a social worker. The local Constituency Labour Party selected Anne Sacks as its new candidate, but the seat was won by the Conservative Party candidate, Ben Wallace, with a 4.5% swing from Labour.
Life after Parliament
Dawson was CEO of Shaftesbury Young People.[3] In April 2009 he was appointed chief executive of the British Association of Social Workers.[4] Hilton left BASW in January 2013 by mutual agreement[5] and now runs his own company called Northumbria People. In March 2013 he published Frank Renner's Bairns - Looking at the world through the lives of a Northumbrian Family.[6] He is Chair of the Newbiggin by the Sea Genealogy Project.
Personal life
Dawson married Susan Williams on 11 August 1973. They have two daughters and four grandchildren. He is a supporter of Sunderland.[7]
References
- North-East is England's 'poor relation' Northern Echo, 17 June 2014
- Ashington High School
- Lucy Ward (12 December 2007). "'We don't like children in this country'". TheGuardian.com. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- "Former MP to take over from Ian Johnston in April". Community Care. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- Neil Puffett (18 January 2013). "BASW chief executive departs following investigation into conduct". Children & Young People Now. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- Dawson, Hilton (2013). Frank Renner's Bairns. Powdene Publicity. ISBN 978-0954449391.
- Thorpe, Martin, 'It's The Pits: Football Diary', The Guardian, 22 November 1997, pA12
External links
- Hilton Dawson They Work For You