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Jim Dickson (politician)
James Rowan Chatterton Dickson (born 16 January 1964) is a British Labour Co-op politician who currently serves as the local Councillor for Herne Hill & Loughborough Junction for over 20 years, and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Dartford since 2024. He was also Leader of Lambeth Council between 1994 and 2000. At the 2024 general election, Dickson defeated Gareth Johnson of the Conservative Party in the traditionally bellwether seat, having previously led Lambeth Council, served as Politics Director at consultancy firm, Four Communications, and been a Director at the Canning Town based Charity, the Thames Festival Trust.[1] Dickson attracted local media attention for his support of the ULEZ expansion[2] as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Dartford, and for his decision to continue to serve on Lambeth Council.[3] Early life and careerDickson was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire, and Jesus College, Cambridge, where he read Social and Political Sciences.[4] Whilst at Cambridge he was elected as Chair of the Cambridge University Labour Club.[citation needed] From 1989, Dickson worked for the London Housing Unit as a Senior Policy Officer for ten years.[citation needed] In 1998 he was a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Westminster until 2000.[citation needed] Between 2000 and 2003 he worked as an Associate for Weber Shandwick.[citation needed] He previously worked for the consultancy firm Four Communications as Politics Director.[5][6] He is a member of the Association of Professional Political Consultants.[7] Political careerDickson was first elected as a Councillor for Herne Hill in the 1990 Lambeth London Borough Council election, and he became the Leader of Lambeth Council in 1994.[citation needed] At the 2001 General Election he was Labour's candidate[8] in Old Bexley and Sidcup. Dickson has held various cabinet positions on the Lambeth Borough Council (such as Voluntary and Community Sectors, Finance and Health and Social Care).[5][9][10] He was leading Lambeth's Labour Group when it was praised as being "more New Labour than New Labour" by former Prime Minister Tony Blair.[11] He is a member of Progressive Britain.[7] At the 2024 General Election, Dickson was elected as the MP for Dartford and has offered vocal support to the Lower Thames Crossing, though the Government delayed the planning decision.[12] His key election policy was 'Taking Pride in Dartford', an initiative to revitalise Dartford's high streets and cultural scene. When questioned about the 2024 Labour Party freebies controversy, Dickson defended Starmer, stating that "He's (Waheed Alli) someone I remember from the 90s, he was a very strong supporter of Labour then... he's obviously decided he wants to try and help Labour...".[13] Jim Dickson is one of two Lambeth Councillors to have gone on to become Labour MP for Dartford, the first being his predecessor Jennie Adamson in 1938 - who had previously served on the London County Council for Lambeth North. In November 2024, Dickson voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes to legalise assisted suicide.[14] References
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