Mike Gapes
Michael John Gapes (born 4 September 1952) is a British former politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Ilford South from 1992 to 2019.
Mike Gapes | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2017 | |
| Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee | |
| In office 19 July 2005 – 17 May 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Donald Anderson |
| Succeeded by | Richard Ottaway |
| Member of Parliament for Ilford South | |
| In office 9 April 1992 – 6 November 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Neil Thorne |
| Succeeded by | Sam Tarry |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael John Gapes 4 September 1952 Wanstead, Essex, England |
| Political party | Labour and Co-operative (1968–2019; 2023–) |
| Other political affiliations | Change UK (2019) |
| Spouse |
Frances Smith
(m. 1992; div. 2004) |
| Children |
|
| Alma mater | Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge Middlesex Polytechnic |
| Website | www |
Other offices
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Born in Wanstead Hospital, Gapes attended Buckhurst Hill County High School. He studied economics at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he was Secretary of the Cambridge University Students' Union, and later studied industrial relations at Middlesex Polytechnic. He then served as chair of the National Organisation of Labour Students.
Following an unsuccessful 1983 bid for Parliament, Gapes was elected as a Labour and Co-operative MP in 1992. He served as chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee from 2005 to 2010. In February 2019, Gapes left Labour in protest at Jeremy Corbyn's leadership to form The Independent Group, later Change UK, along with six other Labour MPs. In the December 2019 election, Gapes was defeated by Labour's Sam Tarry. He rejoined the Labour Party in March 2023.