Ayes & Ears

David Amess has been at the heart of British politics for almost four decades. He has witnessed unprecedented changes in technology, the economy, parliamentary procedure, the state of the Union and the European Union. In this book he reviews the major scandals and events of this time and reveals the inner workings of Britain's most important institution. David opens up the world of Westminster for us to explore, to wonder at the historic traditions and to examine the myraid changes which have taken place.

Sir David Amess was born in the East End of London in 1952 and has been a Member of Parliament for 38 years. He stood in the Labour stronghold of Newham North West in 1979, before winning the Basildon seat from Labour in 1983. When his seat was broken up in a boundary review, he was elected to Southend West in 1997. He was Parliamentary Private Secretary to Edwina Currie, Lord Skelmersdale, and for nine years to Michael Portillo through most of his Ministerial career. A lifelong animal lover he has campaigned on many animal welfare issues and introduced the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act for horses, ponies and donkeys. In 1999 he was successful with a Bill to create a programme of action for home heating and the reduction of fuel poverty, which became the Warm Homes Act 2000. He was a member of the Health Select Committee for ten years. Sir David is a member of the Speaker's Panel of Chairs and is Chair of a number of All-Party Groups including Fire Safety and Rescue, Maternity, Liver Health, and Endometriosis.