Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Austin Mitchell

Austin Vernon Mitchell (19 September 1934 – 18 August 2021) was a British Labour Party politician, journalist, and academic who served as Member of Parliament for Great Grimsby from a 1977 by-election until 2015. Born in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, Mitchell was educated at Bingley Grammar School, the University of Manchester, and Nuffield College, Oxford, before lecturing in politics at the University of Otago in New Zealand in the late 1950s and 1960s. He returned to the United Kingdom to pursue a career in journalism and broadcasting, working as a reporter and presenter for Yorkshire Television and contributing to programmes that examined political and social issues. Elected to succeed Tony Crosland in Grimsby following a by-election prompted by Crosland's death, Mitchell held the seat through multiple elections despite its status as a marginal constituency tied to the declining fishing industry. He became a prominent defender of Grimsby's fishing interests, criticizing the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy for its impact on local fleets and, in 2002, temporarily changing his name by deed poll to Austin Haddock to draw attention to the haddock's role in the regional economy. Known for his independent-minded approach within Labour— including Euroscepticism and efforts to televise parliamentary proceedings—Mitchell's tenure featured vigorous, often colorful interventions in debates, though it also involved controversies such as the 2010 MPs' expenses scandal and inflammatory remarks about corporate takeovers.

Early Life and Education

Childhood and Family Origins

Austin Vernon Mitchell was born on 19 September 1934 in , , . He was the elder son of Richard Mitchell, a dyer in the local , and Ethel Mitchell (née Butterworth), who worked in the markets. This working-class family background was typical of Bradford's industrial milieu, centered on and trades amid economic challenges of the 1930s. Mitchell's childhood unfolded in this northern English manufacturing hub during the Great Depression's aftermath and , shaping early exposure to labor-oriented community dynamics. His parents' occupations underscored modest socioeconomic roots, with no recorded inherited wealth or elite connections; Richard's role in reflected the region's staple industry, employing thousands in manual processes vulnerable to trade fluctuations. Initial schooling occurred at Woodbottom Council School, a state-funded institution serving local working families, before progressing to Bingley Grammar School. These placements aligned with the era's selective grammar system for promising pupils from non-privileged homes, highlighting Mitchell's foundational environment without notable familial political or academic precedents.

Academic Training and Early Influences

Austin Mitchell, born on 19 September 1934 in , , received his early education at Woodbottom Council School, a local primary institution, followed by , where he developed an interest in historical studies. These schools, situated in industrial , provided a foundation in a region marked by working-class traditions, though specific teachers or curricula shaping his worldview are not detailed in contemporary records. He then pursued undergraduate studies in History at the University of Manchester, earning a degree. This program emphasized empirical historical analysis, aligning with Mitchell's later academic focus on political institutions and party dynamics. Mitchell advanced to postgraduate research at , specializing in and completing a in 1963. His doctoral thesis examined the internal politics and factionalism within the British , reflecting an early analytical engagement with left-wing organizational challenges that would recur in his career. This training under Nuffield's emphasis on quantitative and institutional approaches to social sciences provided Mitchell with tools for dissecting party machinery, influencing his subsequent critiques of political conformity.

Pre-Political Career

Academic Positions in New Zealand

Mitchell arrived in in 1959 to join the history department at the in as a in , a position he held until 1963. During this period, he contributed to academic research on New Zealand politics, including a study of the 1962 Waitaki by-election published by the University of Otago Press. In 1963, Mitchell transferred to the in , where he served as a in and sociology until 1967. He played a key role in establishing the university's independent department, initially breaking away from the history faculty, and was among the founding members of its teaching staff. His work at Canterbury emphasized political studies, aligning with his broader interests in electoral behavior and , though he balanced these duties with emerging activities outside academia.

Journalism and Broadcasting Ventures

Mitchell began his broadcasting career in New Zealand during the late while lecturing in history and politics at the , initially contributing radio talks that marked his entry into media. By the early , he had become a prominent figure on New Zealand television, hosting current affairs programs that gained him national recognition as a lecturer-turned-broadcaster. Returning to the in 1967, Mitchell transitioned to full-time , joining Television in 1969 as a reporter and presenter on the regional news program , where he covered stories nightly until 1977, except for a brief interlude at the in 1972. His on-screen style, characterized by directness and investigative vigor, made him a familiar face in regional , often delving into political and social issues with a populist edge. During this period, Mitchell also contributed to national outlets, including programs, blending his academic background with on-the-ground that emphasized empirical over establishment narratives. His decision to leave in 1977 stemmed from pursuing a parliamentary candidacy, sacrificing a established TV presence for political engagement.

Political Career

Entry into British Politics

Mitchell's transition to British politics occurred in 1977, when he was selected as the candidate for the Great Grimsby by-election, triggered by the death of the incumbent and , , on 19 February of that year. Prior to this, Mitchell had established a prominent profile as a political correspondent and broadcaster for Yorkshire Television since 1969, which positioned him as a high-profile figure capable of energizing the campaign in a constituency vulnerable to Conservative advances amid Labour's declining popularity under . His selection reflected Labour's strategy to leverage his media experience and regional familiarity to defend a seat that had been held by Crosland since 1959, despite national polls favoring the opposition. The took place on 28 April 1977, coinciding with other notable contests that tested 's resilience. Mitchell secured victory for with 21,890 votes (46.9% of the share), narrowly defeating the Conservative candidate's 21,370 votes (45.8%), thus retaining the seat by a margin of 520 votes. This win marked his entry into the during the final months of the Callaghan government, where he quickly adapted to the adversarial environment of late-night debates and , though his independent streak would soon manifest. Mitchell's decision to forgo his full-time broadcasting role underscored his commitment, transforming him from a media commentator on to an active participant.

Representation of Great Grimsby

Austin Mitchell was selected as the Labour candidate for the Grimsby by-election on 28 April 1977, triggered by the death of the incumbent MP , and won the seat, beginning a parliamentary tenure that lasted until 2015. The constituency, a traditional stronghold centered on the port town of with its fishing and related industries, was renamed Great Grimsby following boundary changes in 1983, but Mitchell retained it through multiple general elections, including narrow victories in later years. Throughout his 38-year representation, Mitchell prioritized constituency interests, particularly the decline of Grimsby's fishing sector due to international agreements and the European Union's . He successfully advocated for compensation schemes for fishermen who lost employment following the with in the 1970s, which restricted access to rich North Atlantic grounds previously exploited by Grimsby trawlers. His efforts extended nationally, positioning him as a vocal defender of UK fishing communities against perceived overreach by , often clashing with party leadership on EU-related matters. In a to boost the industry, Mitchell legally changed his name to Austin for one week in February 2002, aiming to highlight under-consumed British fish and draw media attention to Grimsby's economic challenges. By the 2010 , demographic shifts and rising support for UKIP had eroded Labour's dominance, with Mitchell securing re-election by a slim of 714 votes (2.2% of the vote) on a turnout of 53.8%, receiving 10,777 votes against the Conservative candidate's 10,063. He announced his retirement in April 2014, citing age and a desire to avoid an acrimonious selection battle, leaving the seat vulnerable; Labour held it in 2015 but lost it to the Conservatives in 2019.

Key Parliamentary Contributions and Campaigns

Mitchell served as a member of the Public Accounts Commission from July 2010 to March 2015, contributing to oversight of public spending audits. He also sat on the Regional Select Committee from October 2009 to May 2010, examining regional economic and policy issues relevant to his constituency. A primary focus of Mitchell's parliamentary efforts was advocacy for Grimsby's fishing and fish processing industries, which faced decline due to EU regulations. He led opposition to government-imposed limits on fishing vessel days at sea, arguing these measures exacerbated industry hardships beyond EU mandates. In December 2014, Mitchell opened a Commons debate on the fishing industry, highlighting persistent challenges like quota allocations and overfishing. Earlier, in December 1999, he emphasized reforming the Common Fisheries Policy to prioritize national interests over centralized EU control. Mitchell initiated public campaigns to bolster fish consumption and industry visibility, including temporarily changing his surname to "Haddock" in October 2002 to encourage Britons to eat more . He frequently rebelled against positions, voting against the majority in 50 of 1,190 divisions during his tenure, often on issues diverging from party orthodoxy such as regional economic protections. As the inaugural chair of the National Union of Journalists' in 2003, he leveraged his broadcasting background to advance cross-party support for amid media policy debates.

Eurosceptic Stance and Independence from Party Orthodoxy

Austin Mitchell developed a longstanding opposition to , viewing the as an undemocratic entity that eroded national sovereignty and imposed detrimental policies on . He argued that the pursued "ever-closer union" at the expense of democratic nation states, which he considered the optimal framework for advancing public control and . As an early Eurosceptic within the , Mitchell supported the Better Off Out campaign, launched in 2006 to advocate for withdrawal from the , aligning himself with a minority cross-party effort that included figures from UKIP and Conservative MPs. His stance predated the 2016 , for which he campaigned in favor of Leave, emphasizing the need to reclaim decision-making from . A core element of Mitchell's centered on the (CFP), which he fiercely opposed for declaring British waters as common territory and enabling foreign fleets, particularly , to deplete stocks while restricting domestic fishermen. Representing Great Grimsby, a historic port, he highlighted how the CFP contributed to the industry's collapse, with the fleet shrinking and illegal persisting under lax enforcement. In parliamentary debates, such as on December 11, 2014, Mitchell criticized the policy's origins under and its ongoing failure to protect British interests, advocating for national control over quotas and . Economically, he contended that membership had cost over a million by 1996 through trade imbalances, forced imports, and barriers to initiatives, while high contributions funded policies benefiting larger member states like and . Mitchell's positions often placed him at odds with Labour's evolving pro-integration orthodoxy, particularly after the party shifted toward embracing the under leaders like . He refused to conform, rebelling against party lines on European matters and becoming an isolated voice on the benches by the , as his critiques of ' contempt for British priorities clashed with mainstream sentiment. Describing himself as a , Mitchell prioritized constituency concerns—such as Grimsby's fisheries—and principled arguments over discipline, even campaigning against EU entry in the 1970s and decrying the prioritization of EU loyalty over working-class voters in Labour's platform. This independence extended to public advocacy, where he warned of economic drain and democratic deficits, maintaining his dissent until retirement in 2015 despite potential marginalization within the party.

Controversies and Criticisms

Expenses Claims and Financial Scrutiny

In the wake of the 2009 , an independent audit examined Mitchell's claims from 2004 to 2008, revealing irregularities in his second home allowances. Specifically, Mitchell had erroneously claimed £10,549 in payments on his flat in 2006, which exceeded allowable limits due to an administrative oversight in calculations. He admitted the error, describing it as careless rather than intentional, and repaid the full amount plus additional funds totaling over £10,000 to the taxpayer in January 2010, issuing a public apology for the lapse. Other scrutinized claims included a rejected request for £1,296 in shutters for the same property, which authorities denied as non-essential, prompting Mitchell to express frustration over the rigidity of rules while defending the need for MPs to maintain functional residences. His filings also documented minor food purchases, such as 67p Ginger Crinkle biscuits and Branston pickle, which drew media attention amid broader public outrage over perceived extravagance, though these were within permitted subsistence categories. Mitchell responded to the disclosures by questioning the media's handling of unredacted receipts, stating he distrusted journalists' interpretations and emphasizing that required flexible allowances to perform constituency duties without personal financial ruin. In a 2009 commentary, he acknowledged public anger but argued the system incentivized over-claiming due to its opacity and lack of scrutiny prior to publication mandates, without excusing individual errors. No criminal charges arose from his case, distinguishing it from more egregious instances in the , and he faced no formal sanctions beyond repayment.

Outspoken Public Remarks and Media Incidents

In May 2014, Mitchell sparked widespread media outrage by tweeting that the American pharmaceutical company consisted of "the rapists who want to rape " in reference to its proposed £69 billion bid, which he viewed as predatory asset-stripping despite government intervention. He initially refused to apologize, defending the language as rhetorical emphasis on corporate exploitation, but was subsequently reprimanded by Labour's and apologized to the party leadership, though calls for his suspension from opposition benches persisted. Earlier, in October 2012, Mitchell drew criticism for a responding to former Conservative Louise 's public disagreement with her husband, stating: "a good wife doesn't disagree with her master in public," which he later clarified as ironic commentary on marital dynamics but which Mensch demanded he retract, amplifying the exchange across media outlets. The remark fueled accusations of , though Mitchell maintained it was satirical and self-deprecating upon reflection. In August 2014, Mitchell ignited intra-party controversy by publicly opposing Labour's all-women shortlists for parliamentary selections, arguing in a Guardian column that the policy discriminated against capable older male candidates like himself and advocated for voluntary retirements to make way for younger talent rather than quotas. Labour figures condemned the views as ageist and sexist, with some calling for his deselection, while his wife, broadcaster Linda McDougall, defended him in the Daily Mail as targeted by party "sisterhood" bullying for prioritizing merit over identity-based selection. During a January 2015 parliamentary hearing with the Charity Commission, Mitchell compared the watchdog's budget reductions under austerity measures to "anorexia," remarking to chair that "so anorexia has set in?"—a quip intended to highlight fiscal but which stunned attendees and prompted media reports of insensitivity toward eating disorders. In February 2015, amid speculation over his successor in Great Grimsby, Mitchell was reported by the Grimsby Telegraph as stating that would retain the seat even if its candidate were "a raving alcoholic sex paedophile," a comment he dismissed as misquoted or exaggerated in a interview, attributing it to overstatement in emphasizing party loyalty but which critics, including local Conservatives, decried as arrogant complacency toward voters. Mitchell's nine-year tenure co-hosting Sky News's with Conservative peer from 1989 onward was itself a media flashpoint, as the pairing of a Labour MP with a Thatcher-era hardliner produced heated on-air clashes that drew accusations from left-wing critics of legitimizing extremism, though it bolstered Mitchell's reputation for unfiltered debate.

Personal Life and Later Years

Marriages and Family Dynamics

Austin Mitchell was first married to Patricia Jackson, with whom he had two daughters, Susan and Nicola; the marriage ended in divorce. In 1976, Mitchell married Linda McDougall, a and whom he had met in 1964 while teaching at a in , where she had recently returned after working abroad. The couple had one son and one daughter, bringing Mitchell's total number of children to four. Family life was marked by strains arising from Mitchell's political career, particularly after the family relocated to following his election as in 1977, a move that uprooted McDougall from her established life in and contributed to periods of . McDougall later recounted in personal reflections that she experienced moments of intense toward Mitchell during this , describing how his professional ambitions disrupted family stability and her own opportunities, though she emphasized enduring affection amid the challenges of life with a high-profile . Mitchell's demanding schedule as an and broadcaster often prioritized public duties over domestic routines, a dynamic common among political spouses but acutely felt in their household, as McDougall noted the difficulties it imposed on partners and children in maintaining normalcy.

Retirement, Death, and Posthumous Reflections

Mitchell announced his intention to retire from Parliament on 17 2014 via a YouTube video, stating he would not contest the 2015 general election after 38 years representing Great Grimsby. The decision came in the wake of heart surgery in July 2013 to repair a leaking valve, which led him to reflect on his tenure and pass the seat to a successor. He departed with the dissolution of Parliament on 30 March 2015, having secured the constituency through multiple tight elections despite its marginal status. Mitchell died on 18 August 2021 at age 86 from in the at . His funeral took place in on 3 September 2021, followed by a memorial service at Grimsby Minster on 20 September 2021, attended by local figures and reflecting his ties to the fishing community. Posthumous tributes emphasized Mitchell's independence, wit, and advocacy for regional interests over party conformity. Labour leader praised his colorful representation of and commitment to working-class causes. Conservative peer Lord Cormack lauded his intellectual gifts and affability but noted a lack of tact that limited higher office. Broadcaster recalled him as a "force of nature" whose maverick style enriched parliamentary debate, while the Hull & Humber highlighted his fearless truth-telling on economic issues. The National Union of Journalists remembered his foundational role in their and support for media freedoms. Overall, reflections portrayed him as a principled contrarian whose and focus on fisheries presaged later political shifts, though his unorthodox approach drew mixed assessments of effectiveness.

Writings and Intellectual Output

Political and Economic Analyses

Austin Mitchell's political writings frequently dissected the internal dynamics and strategic shortcomings of the , particularly during periods of electoral defeat and ideological drift. In Four Years in the Death of the Labour Party (1983), co-authored with Ian Taylor, Mitchell analyzed the factors contributing to Labour's 1979 general election loss, attributing it to factional infighting, policy incoherence on economic management, and a failure to adapt to voter concerns over and industrial unrest under the Callaghan government. He argued that the party's leftward shift alienated moderate supporters without consolidating working-class loyalty, emphasizing the need for pragmatic economic policies that balanced state intervention with electoral viability rather than dogmatic . Mitchell's economic analyses extended to sharp critiques of neoliberal reforms, drawing on his academic background in and personal experience in during the 1960s and 1970s. In Revenge of the Rich: The Neoliberal Revolution in and (2017), he contended that the adoption of market deregulation, , and reduced public spending—pioneered in both countries—exacerbated and undermined social cohesion without achieving sustained growth. Mitchell highlighted empirical shortfalls, such as the absence of promised "trickle-down" benefits, where wealth concentration among elites failed to broadly stimulate productivity or wages, leading to stagnant living standards for the majority. He advocated returning to post-war Keynesian-style settlements, with stronger government roles in redistributing and protecting domestic industries like fishing, which he viewed as casualties of unfettered . Complementing these book-length treatments, Mitchell's periodical contributions offered targeted economic commentary, often challenging orthodox . In his 2013 article "Austerity's Wasted Years," published in The Political Quarterly, he scrutinized post-2008 austerity programs across the , , and the , asserting they prolonged recessions by suppressing demand rather than addressing structural deficits through growth-oriented investments. Mitchell posited that such policies, justified as necessary for fiscal discipline, ignored historical evidence from the 1930s , where similar retrenchment amplified downturns, and instead prioritized ideological commitments to small over empirical recovery metrics like GDP trajectories and rates. These analyses reflected Mitchell's broader worldview, rooted in empirical observation of regional economies like Grimsby's fishing sector, where he consistently opposed supranational quotas and favored national control to sustain local livelihoods.

Regional and Cultural Works

Mitchell produced several publications celebrating 's linguistic and humorous traditions, drawing from his upbringing in and early career in regional . Austin Mitchell's Grand Book of Yorkshire Humour, published in 2009 by Great Northern Books, compiles an extensive collection of regional jokes emphasizing the deadpan wit characteristic of folk. Similarly, Austin Mitchell's Yorkshire Sayings and Austin Mitchell's Yorkshire Jokes document local idioms, proverbs, and anecdotal humor, preserving elements of working-class and . Talkin' Yorkshire, another illustrated volume, further explores the phonetic and expressive nuances of the accent, co-authored or illustrated in collaboration with regional talents like . In Calendar Boy (2014, Pen & Sword Books), Mitchell recounts his tenure as a presenter on Yorkshire Television's regional news program Calendar from 1969 to 1977, providing firsthand accounts of covering northern England's industrial communities, rural life, and social changes during that era. The memoir highlights the challenges of regional broadcasting, including audience engagement with local stories and the cultural divide between urban centers and peripheral areas. Mitchell's regional economic writings centered on the fishing sector vital to his constituency, where the port once handled over 20% of Britain's distant-water catch in the mid-20th century. In The Common Fisheries Policy: End or Mend?, he critiques the European Union's 1970 policy for imposing quotas and equal access that disadvantaged fleets, leading to a 90% decline in Grimsby's trawler landings from 1973 to 1996. The book argues for national control over resources to sustain coastal economies, reflecting Mitchell's advocacy against centralized regulations that ignored local dependencies on and fisheries. These works underscore his commitment to empirical analysis of regional decline, prioritizing data on decommissioning and market throughput over supranational ideals.

Reception and Legacy

Achievements in Advocacy and Representation

Mitchell represented the constituency of Great Grimsby as a for 38 years, from a 1977 until his retirement in 2015, during which he prioritized advocacy for the town's declining fishing and food processing sectors amid economic challenges from policies. He consistently opposed the European Union's (CFP), arguing it imposed detrimental quotas and restrictions that undermined British fishermen, and contributed significantly to industry resistance against government-imposed limits on fishing vessel time at sea in the early . In a notable effort to highlight the fishing industry's plight, Mitchell temporarily changed his surname by to "Haddock" on October 1, 2002, aiming to encourage greater consumption of domestically caught and draw attention to Grimsby's processing capabilities. His persistent interventions in parliamentary fisheries debates earned praise from peers as a "wonderful " for the sector, including efforts to protect jobs and promote onshore processing as Grimsby's economy shifted from catching to value-added . Beyond local representation, Mitchell campaigned successfully for legislative reforms such as ending the solicitors' on to reduce costs for homebuyers, introducing statutory redundancy payments for workers, and establishing maternity pay entitlements, crediting his involvement in pushing these measures onto the statute books during his tenure. He also advocated for broader systemic changes, including for elections, the introduction of rear seat-belts in vehicles, and a statutory for individuals misrepresented in media reports. In 2003, leveraging his background as a broadcaster, he became the inaugural chair of the National Union of Journalists' cross-party , fostering dialogue on press freedoms and journalistic standards.

Critiques of Style and Effectiveness

Mitchell's parliamentary style was frequently characterized as and outspoken, traits that endeared him to some constituents but drew criticism for undermining and broader influence. Observers noted his tendency toward blunt, unfiltered commentary often clashed with modern political norms, limiting his prospects for senior roles within despite his longevity as for Great Grimsby from 1977 to 2015. His , a consistent stance blaming EU policies for job losses exceeding one million in by 1996, isolated him on Labour benches increasingly aligned with pro-EU positions, rendering him marginal in national policy debates. Specific remarks amplified perceptions of anachronistic or abrasive style. In 2014, Mitchell argued that increasing numbers of MPs via all-women shortlists weakened by prioritizing "amenable youngsters" over experienced figures, prompting accusations of and contributing to intra-party tensions. Similarly, in early 2015, he dismissed UKIP's threat to by claiming the seat would remain even if selecting "a raving alcoholic paedophile," a statement critiqued as arrogant and dismissive of electoral realities, reflecting a perceived complacency toward constituents. Such episodes fueled broader rebukes of his approach as outdated and alienating, particularly to younger or party members, exacerbating 's internal dynamics. On effectiveness, while Mitchell maintained an active local presence—advocating for Grimsby's fishing industry against EU common fisheries policy—critics highlighted limited tangible outcomes amid the port's economic decline. His 38-year tenure saw Grimsby's transformation from a safe Labour seat to a marginal one, with his 2010 majority shrinking to 714 votes amid rising Conservatism and UKIP challenges, suggesting shortcomings in adapting to voter shifts. Nationally, frequent rebellions, including on Europe, curtailed his leverage, as evidenced by his exclusion from high office and inability to sway party policy despite vocal export-led growth advocacy and opposition to asset sales. Post-retirement in 2015, Labour's loss of Grimsby to UKIP underscored debates over whether his independent streak prioritized personal conviction over strategic electability.

References

  1. [1]
    Parliamentary career for Austin Mitchell - MPs and Lords
    Austin Mitchell died on 18th August 2021. He was most recently the Labour MP for Great Grimsby, and left the Commons on 30 March 2015.
  2. [2]
    Austin Mitchell: Former Great Grimsby MP dies aged 86 - BBC
    Aug 18, 2021 · Mr Mitchell was born in Bradford in 1934 and moved to New Zealand in the late 1950s to lecture at the University of Otago. He returned to the UK ...
  3. [3]
    Austin Mitchell | NZ On Screen
    Mitchell began his 46 year political career in 1977, as Labour MP in the English seat of Grimsby. He retired in 2015, and died, at 86, on 18 August 2021. ... he ...
  4. [4]
    Austin Mitchell obituary | Labour | The Guardian
    Aug 18, 2021 · Mitchell, who has died aged 86, was the fishing port's MP for 37 years, in a seat that was actually rarely entirely safe.
  5. [5]
    Austin Mitchell MP - NFFO
    Aug 20, 2021 · His commitment to and interest in the fishing industry ran well beyond his constituency interests and lasted beyond his long career as MP for ...
  6. [6]
    Austin Mitchell: Funeral of former Grimsby MP held in Bradford - BBC
    Sep 3, 2021 · He died at the age of 86 in Leeds General Infirmary on 18 August. Speaking before the service at Saltaire United Reformed Church in Bradford, ...
  7. [7]
    Austin Mitchell: Always independent | Brendan Chilton - The Critic
    Aug 19, 2021 · Austin Mitchell was one of the few individuals in the Labour Party to consistently oppose British membership of the European Union.
  8. [8]
    Austin Mitchell obituary - The Times
    Aug 18, 2021 · Austin Mitchell, Labour MP, was born on September 19, 1934. He died of heart failure on August 18, 2021, aged 86. UK. More from UK. Steve ...
  9. [9]
    Labour MP reprimanded over Pfizer 'rapists' tweet - ITV News
    May 14, 2014 · Veteran MP Austin Mitchell has apologised to Labour's chief whip after he compared US drug giant Pfizer to "rapists" over its proposed takeover ...
  10. [10]
    Austin Mitchell - Biography - IMDb
    He was married to Linda McDougall and Patricia Jackson . He died on August 17, 2021 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK.<|control11|><|separator|>
  11. [11]
    Records of Austin Mitchell - Hull History Centre Catalogue
    In support of the fishing industry within his constituency and its staple catch, he briefly changed his name to Austin Haddock in 2002. During 2009 Mitchell's ...
  12. [12]
    Titles by Austin Mitchell - Pen and Sword Books
    Born in Bradford, Mitchell was educated at Woodbottom Council School, Bingley Grammar School, the University of Manchester and Nuffield College, Oxford.
  13. [13]
    Austin Mitchell | Biteback Publishing
    Born in Bradford, Mitchell was educated at Woodbottom Council School ... From 1959-63 he lectured in history at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.
  14. [14]
    Our Alumni - Nuffield College - University of Oxford
    Austin Mitchell, Labour Member of Parliament, 1977–2015; Gus O'Donnell, Baron O'Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service, 2005–2011 ...Missing: degree | Show results with:degree
  15. [15]
    Political lives: Austin Mitchell - BBC News
    Jan 9, 2013 · The Great Grimsby MP, then a young politics lecturer, was an inescapable presence on New Zealand television in the early 1960s.
  16. [16]
    Political Science: Vol 15, No 2 - Taylor & Francis Online
    Book Review: Waitaki Votes: A Study of a New Zealand By-Election, 1962, by Austin Mitchell. Dunedin, University of Otago Press, 1962. 68 pages. xml · A. D. ...
  17. [17]
    UC remembers founding political scientist who wrote Pavlova ...
    Trained in political history at Nuffield College, Oxford, Mitchell travelled to New Zealand to take up his first academic post at the University of Otago in ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  18. [18]
    Revenge of the Rich: The neoliberal revolution | UC
    Nov 20, 2023 · Austin Mitchell taught at the universities of Canterbury and Otago and was one of the original team that founded the Political Science ...Missing: positions | Show results with:positions
  19. [19]
    Austin Mitchell, the first chair of the NUJ's cross-party Parliamentary ...
    Aug 18, 2021 · Austin served as first chair of the NUJ Parliamentary Group in 2003 and brought his enormous knowledge, based on his own experience with BBC and Yorkshire ...Missing: early life childhood parents
  20. [20]
    Former Great Grimsby Labour MP Austin Mitchell dies aged 86
    Aug 18, 2021 · Austin Mitchell was a colourful figure who represented the Great Grimsby for 38 years, from 1977 to 2015, after a career in TV during the 1970s.Missing: early childhood parents
  21. [21]
    Austin Mitchell 1934-2021: A Tribute | Iain Dale
    Aug 18, 2021 · Austin Mitchell 1934-2021: A Tribute ... I learned a little earlier today that Austin died in hospital this morning at the grand old age of 86.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  22. [22]
    Long-serving Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell dies at 86 - LabourList
    Aug 18, 2021 · In 1977, Mitchell was selected as Labour's candidate in Great Grimbsy, to contest a by-election prompted by the death of then-Foreign Secretary ...
  23. [23]
    Austin Mitchell, jovial and outspoken Labour MP for Great Grimsby ...
    Aug 18, 2021 · His most controversial broadcasting assignment was a nine-year stint co-presenting Sky's interview programme Target with Norman Tebbit. When ...
  24. [24]
    Veteran Labour MP Austin Mitchell to step down - BBC News
    Apr 16, 2014 · Last July, Mr Mitchell had surgery to repair a leaky heart valve after fainting in the Houses of Parliament. The MP was born in Bradford in 1934 ...Missing: childhood | Show results with:childhood
  25. [25]
    Mr Austin Mitchell (Hansard) - API Parliament UK
    Mr Austin Mitchell. September 19, 1934 -. Constituencies. Grimsby April 28, 1977 - June 9, 1983; Great Grimsby June 9, 1983 - ? Offices.
  26. [26]
    Austin Mitchell - Parallel Parliament
    Apr 28, 1977 · Austin Mitchell. Labour - Former Member for Great Grimsby. First elected: 28th April 1977. Left House: 30th March 2015 (Retired).
  27. [27]
    Grimsby MP for 38 years Austin Mitchell reveals: 'I never felt ...
    Jun 28, 2018 · Elected in a flurry of excitement in a 1977 by-election, Mr Mitchell recalls how he was “an accidental MP” having been better known for his ...
  28. [28]
    Austin Mitchell - All Leader of the House Debates - Parallel Parliament
    Mar 26, 2015 · That has been the joy of my existence. I am happy that my Labour successor will carry on that fight for Grimsby with all the vigour and courage ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  29. [29]
    Fishing Industry - Hansard - UK Parliament
    Dec 11, 2014 · Member for Great Grimsby (Austin Mitchell), who has represented fishermen across the UK in this House for, as he said, 38 years.
  30. [30]
    Austin Mitchell - from TV presenter to MP - Grimsby Live
    Aug 19, 2021 · He is survived by wife Linda, whom he married in 1976 and they have two children Jonathan and Hannah. Daughters Susan and Nicola were from his ...
  31. [31]
    General election for the constituency of Great Grimsby on 6 May 2010
    Labour hold by Austin Mitchell with a majority of 714 - 2.2% - on a turnout of 53.8%. An electorate of 61,229, having a valid vote count of 32,954 and an ...
  32. [32]
    BBC News | Election 2010 | Constituency | Great Grimsby
    Votes, %, +/-. Austin Mitchell, Labour, 10,777, 32.7, -14.4. Victoria Ayling, Conservative, 10,063, 30.5, +6.7. Andrew De Freitas, Liberal Democrat, 7,388, 22.4 ...
  33. [33]
    Veteran Labour MP Austin Mitchell to stand down, sparking battle for ...
    Apr 16, 2014 · Great Grimsby MP calls on Ed Miliband to 'mix with ordinary people more' as he announces he will quit.Missing: tenure | Show results with:tenure
  34. [34]
    Election result for Great Grimsby (Constituency) - MPs and Lords
    The seat was last held by Lia Nici (Conservative) between 12 December 2019 to 30 May 2024. 2010 General Election. The 2010 General Election was held on 6 May ...
  35. [35]
    Austin Mitchell, former MP, Great Grimsby - TheyWorkForYou
    Member, Public Accounts Commission (12 Jul 2010 to 30 Mar 2015) · Member, Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Select Committee (29 Oct 2009 to 6 May 2010) · Member, ...
  36. [36]
    Austin Mitchell extracts from Fishing Industry (11th December 2014)
    Dec 11, 2014 · He has always said that it is possible for this country to have a healthy, vibrant fishing industry which also protects marine conservation and ...
  37. [37]
    House of Commons Hansard Debates for 2 Dec 1999 (pt 1)
    Dec 2, 1999 · Austin Mitchell ... I wish to focus on two main areas and to consider more generally fishing policy and the future of the common fisheries policy.
  38. [38]
    Something fishy about MP's name change | Politics - The Guardian
    Oct 1, 2002 · Great Grimsby's Labour MP Austin Mitchell has changed his surname to Haddock in an unusual bid to persuade the British to eat more fish.
  39. [39]
    MP AUSTIN MITCHELL tells why he loathes Brussels - Daily Mail
    Jun 22, 2018 · Why I loathe Brussels: They steal our fish, squander our cash and treat our views with contempt, writes AUSTIN MITCHELL.
  40. [40]
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6511701.stm
  41. [41]
    AUSTIN MITCHELL: Labour loves EU more than working class voters
    Jul 11, 2019 · AUSTIN MITCHELL: Hopefully I won't be expelled for saying this, but after 60 years of being a member of the Labour Party I'm beginning to ...
  42. [42]
    MPs' expenses: Austin Mitchell repays £10,000 - The Telegraph
    Austin Mitchell, MP for Great Grimsby, has admitted he wrongly claimed over £10000 in expenses in 2006 and apologised.Missing: scandal | Show results with:scandal
  43. [43]
    Labour MP Austin Mitchell repays £10k on home - Mirror Online
    Jan 27, 2010 · A veteran Labour MP is repaying more than £10000 of taxpayers' cash after admitting he was "careless" over second home expenses.
  44. [44]
    Austin Mitchell and an angry failed claim for shutters: MPs' expenses
    May 14, 2009 · Mr Mitchell wrote on his website that he understood public anger over MPs' expenses but politicians had to be able to do their job. “We need to ...Missing: scrutiny | Show results with:scrutiny
  45. [45]
    Austin Mitchell's tongue in cheek response to ginger crinkle biscuit ...
    May 14, 2009 · Mr Mitchell's expenses files revealed that he had claimed for £1,296 for bespoke shutters at his second home, a flat in London but was rebuffed ...
  46. [46]
    Expenses: List of MP claims uncovered so far | The Herald
    :: Austin Mitchell The veteran Labour backbencher is said to have submitted claims for food items including Ginger Crinkle biscuits worth 67p, Branston ...<|separator|>
  47. [47]
    MP: I do not trust journalists with my expenses receipts - Press Gazette
    May 15, 2009 · Austin Mitchell, the Labour MP for Great Grimsby, says many of the journalists poring over MPs' unredacted expenses receipts don't ...Missing: scandal | Show results with:scandal
  48. [48]
    Still stuck in the stocks | Austin Mitchell | The Guardian
    Dec 10, 2009 · It was also clear in the year these expenses were claimed that they would be published, which should have produced caution. In fact, in my ...Missing: scandal | Show results with:scandal
  49. [49]
    Labour MP refuses to apologise for calling Pfizer 'rapists'
    May 14, 2014 · Austin Mitchell sparks outrage with tweet criticising pharmaceutical firm over planned AstraZeneca takeover.
  50. [50]
    Labour MP defends 'ironic' Louise Mensch tweet - The Guardian
    Oct 29, 2012 · Former Tory MP demands apology after Austin Mitchell tweets: 'a good wife doesn't disagree with her master in public'Missing: statements | Show results with:statements
  51. [51]
    I'm a feminist who ardently wants more women in the Commons. But ...
    Aug 24, 2014 · Austin Mitchell, the Labour MP for Grimsby. He's been bullied and abused by his colleagues in his own party for daring to discuss the future of all-women ...
  52. [52]
    Austin Mitchell showed us why people hate politicians - LabourList
    Aug 20, 2014 · Not only were his comments ageist and sexist – in the extreme – he also demonstrated complete contempt for both our party and his constituents.Missing: outspoken | Show results with:outspoken
  53. [53]
    Labour MP Austin Mitchell Stuns Charity Boss With 'So Anorexia ...
    Jan 29, 2015 · Veteran Labour MP Austin Mitchell has raised eyebrows by choosing to compare a watchdog's reduced budget to having anorexia.
  54. [54]
    Austin Mitchell 'misquoted' over Grimsby election - BBC News
    Austin Mitchell dismisses claims by a newspaper that he said Labour would win his seat even if its candidate was a "raving alcoholic sex paedophile".
  55. [55]
    Labour MP Austin Mitchell: 'Even if we selected a raving alcoholic sex
    Feb 21, 2015 · Veteran Labour MP Austin Mitchell has dismissed Ukip's chances of winning the Great Grimsby constituency at the general election.
  56. [56]
    Obituary: Austin Mitchell, Labour MP who took pride in being a ...
    Aug 31, 2021 · For eight years in the 1950s and 1960s, he was a lecturer in history and politics at the universities of Otago and Canterbury in New Zealand. He ...
  57. [57]
    The moments that made me hate my husband: LINDA McDOUGALL ...
    Jan 23, 2023 · She even hated the way his breath smelled in the mornings. Linda McDougall reveals the moments that made her hate her husband Austin Mitchell. + ...
  58. [58]
    Widow of late Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell on why she sometimes ...
    Jan 26, 2023 · The wife of Austin Mitchell, the late MP for Great Grimsby, has revealed that there were times she "hated" her husband after he moved their family to Grimsby ...
  59. [59]
    MP Mitchell Announces Retirement On YouTube - Sky News
    Apr 17, 2014 · What I intend to do is retire in 400 days or so in May 2015, when this Parliament comes to an end and then hand over to somebody else, to a new ...
  60. [60]
    Austin Mitchell: Memorial service held at Grimsby Minster - BBC
    Sep 20, 2021 · Mr Mitchell, who was the Labour MP for Great Grimsby from 1977 to 2015, died in August aged 86. During the service at Grimsby Minster ...
  61. [61]
    Tribute: Lord Cormack remembers Austin Mitchell - Politicshome.com
    Aug 19, 2021 · I first met Austin Mitchell in 1977 when I was supporting the Conservative Party candidate for Great Grimsby in the by-election triggered by ...
  62. [62]
    Chamber tributes to Great Grimsby MP 'who spoke truth unto power ...
    Austin was a larger than life character who represented the town from 1977 until he stood down from Parliament in 2015. During his time as an MP he won respect ...<|separator|>
  63. [63]
    Four Years in the Death of the Labour Party By Austin Mitchell | eBay
    Title: Four Years in the Death of the Labour Party Item Condition: used item in a very good condition. Author: Austin Mitchell ISBN 10: 0413545504.
  64. [64]
    Revenge Of The Rich - Biteback Publishing
    Austin Mitchell's book is the first comprehensive study of the rise, fall ... Labour MP for Grimsby, just as the Settlement was failing. It fell apart ...
  65. [65]
    Revenge of the Rich: The Neoliberal Revolution in Britain and New ...
    Rating 3.4 (5) Jun 1, 2017 · Mitchell observes how neoliberalism has failed to deliver on its promises, including that of the “trickle-down” effect, resulting in much ...Missing: writings critiques
  66. [66]
    'Revenge of the Rich' – Austin Mitchell Returns to The Fray - Scoop
    Jun 30, 2017 · Austin Mitchell's new book 'Revenge of the Rich: The Neoliberal Revolution in Britain and New Zealand,' published by Canterbury University ...
  67. [67]
    Austerity's Wasted Years - MITCHELL - 2013 - Wiley Online Library
    Austerity has become the norm of economic management in the EU, Britain and the USA. In each it is offered as the answer to different problems.
  68. [68]
    Revenge of the Rich: The neoliberal revolution in Britain and New ...
    Revenge of the Rich: The neoliberal revolution in Britain and New Zealand [Austin Mitchell] on Amazon ... Labour MP for Grimsby, denounces the ...
  69. [69]
    Austin Mitchell's Grand Book Of Yorkshire Humour ... - The York Press
    Jul 25, 2009 · It is stuffed full, from beginning to end, of classic Yorkshire humour and Yorkshire jokes. Many of them are wonderfully deadpan.Missing: regional culture
  70. [70]
    List of Books by Author Austin Mitchell - Paperback Swap
    Search - List of Books by Austin Mitchell · The Common Fisheries Policy · Austin Mitchell's Yorkshire Jokes · Austin Mitchell's Talkin Yorksher · Fishermen Rise and ...
  71. [71]
    North Yorkshire - Voices - Glossary - BBC
    Sep 24, 2014 · There was also a great book on Yorkshire Dialect that I once had - "Teach Thissen Tyke" by Austin Mitchell & Sid Waddell. I wish I still had it!
  72. [72]
    About The Artist - Salt and Vinegar Paintings
    He fully inllustrated three books for Austin Mitchell M.P. which included such books as "yorkshire jokes" "Yorkshire sayings" and "Talking Yorkshire" along ...<|separator|>
  73. [73]
    Calendar Boy: Mitchell, Austin: 9781473828445: Amazon.com: Books
    Calendar Boy will be a highly entertaining read for anyone who remembers the glory days of Calendar and wants to learn about the truth behind working life at a ...
  74. [74]
    Calendar Boy by Austin Mitchell, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®
    In stock Free in-store returnsCalendar Boy will be a highly entertaining read for anyone who remembers the glory days of Calendar and wants to learn about the truth behind working life at a ...
  75. [75]
    Austin Mitchell books and biography | Waterstones
    5.0 29 · 60-day returnsExplore books by Austin Mitchell with our selection at Waterstones.com. Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over ...
  76. [76]
    https://www.betterworldbooks.com/author/austin-mitchell/4971361
  77. [77]
    'I love parliament but I don't want to die in the chamber' - The Guardian
    Apr 17, 2014 · The 79-year-old has been Labour MP for Grimsby for 37 years, but he's reluctantly decided to make way for a younger model.
  78. [78]
    The bullying of Austin Mitchell shows once more where hegemony ...
    Aug 19, 2014 · The vituperative reaction to Austin Mitchell's thoughts on women in the Labour Party shows a hegemony at work.Missing: rebellions | Show results with:rebellions
  79. [79]
    Austin Mitchell gives a masterclass in taking your constituents for ...
    Feb 21, 2015 · The Labour MP for Great Grimsby, Austin Mitchell, who is standing down in 2015, has written an attack in the Mail against the “feminisation” of ...