Harry Harpham

Robert Harry Harpham[1] (21 February 1954 – 4 February 2016) was a British Labour Party politician and coal miner. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough from the May 2015 general election until he died nine months later. He was succeeded by his widow, Gill Furniss, as the MP for the seat at the ensuing by-election.

Harry Harpham
In the House of Commons, three weeks before his death.
Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
In office 7 May 2015 – 4 February 2016
Preceded by	David Blunkett
Succeeded by	Gill Furniss
Personal details
Born	Robert Harry Harpham 21 February 1954 Mansfield, England
Died	4 February 2016 (aged 61)
Political party	Labour
Spouse(s)	Gill Furniss
Alma mater	Northern College University of Sheffield
Website	Official website

Early life and education

Harpham was born on 21 February 1954 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England.[2]

Harpham moved to Sheffield in 1985, and studied at Northern College in Barnsley and University of Sheffield as a mature student.[3] He graduated from Sheffield with a Bachelor's degree in 1991.[2]

Career

Early career

Harpham left school at 16,[2] and became a coal miner at Clipstone Colliery. He took part in the miners' strike of 1984–85 as an NUM member, staying out for the duration.[4]

Political career

In 2000, Harpham was first elected to Sheffield City Council, serving as the councillor for Manor ward.[2][3] He represented Darnall ward from 2004.[4] He was deputy leader of the council from 2012.[2]

Harpham was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough in the 2015 general election.[5] He was one of the final deep coal miners ever to enter parliament.[6] He was one of 125 MPs who employed a member of their family, in his case, employing his wife as a part-time researcher.[7] He supported Andy Burnham in the 2015 Labour leadership election.[2] He served as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Lisa Nandy, the shadow energy secretary.[2] He was a Member of Parliament for 260 days, making him one of the shortest serving MPs.

Family

Harpham had a son and a daughter from his first marriage. He was married to Gill Furniss until his death.[8]

Death

Harpham was diagnosed with terminal cancer in October 2015.[9] He died on 4 February 2016, aged 61.[2][10] On 16 February 2016, a non-religious funeral was held for him at Sheffield Cathedral.[11] Harpham's widow Gill Furniss, a member of Sheffield City Council, won the by-election caused by his death as Labour's candidate.[12]

See also

• List of United Kingdom MPs with the shortest service

References

1. "No. 61230". The London Gazette. 18 May 2015. p. 9118.
2. "Harry Harpham, MP - obituary". Daily Telegraph. 8 February 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
3. "About me". harryharpham.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
4. Bennett, Asa (29 April 2015). "10 prospective MPs who will definitely be elected no matter what". The Telegraph.
5. "Sheffield Brightside & Hillsborough". Election 2015. BBC News. 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
6. "Labour MP Harry Harpham dies after losing battle with cancer". Mirror. 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
7. Mason, Rowena (29 June 2015). "Keeping it in the family: new MPs continue to hire relatives as staff". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
8. "Harry Harpham obituary | Politics". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
9. "Gill Furniss to contest Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough by-election". BBC News. 4 March 2016.
10. Johnston, Chris (5 February 2016). "Labour MP Harry Harpham dies of cancer aged 61". The Guardian.
11. "Miners join mourners at funeral of MP Harry Harpham". ITV News. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
12. "Gill Furniss wins Sheffield by-election for Labour". BBC News. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.