Nigel Adams

Early life

Born in Goole, and raised in Selby, he is the son of a school caretaker and school cleaner. Adams attended Camblesforth Primary School (1974-1978) and won a place at Selby Grammar School (later Selby High School) in 1978, Adams left school in 1984, aged 17 and did not attend University.

Business career

Having left school with few formal qualifications, Adams started his career with a number of sales roles in the advertising industry and latterly in the telecommunications sector. He started his first business in 1993, Advanced Digital Telecom Limited, aged 26 with a £20 a week grant via the Enterprise Allowance Scheme under the John Major Conservative Government. The company grew successfully until it was acquired by York based JWE Telecom PLC in In 2006, Adams acquired NGC Networks Limited a telecommunications equipment and services provider, of which he continues to be a director and shareholder.

Family history

In 2016, geneaology research reaching as far back as the 1600s by the Selby branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discovered that Adams is descended from the well known Staffordshire industrialist William Adams (potter) Other ancestors uncovered include Members of Parliament including Sir Thomas Adams, 1st Baronet a close ally of Charles I of England a former Lord Mayor of the City of London and MP for London (1654–1655 and 1656–1658), William Adams (haberdasher) a wealthy 17th-century businessman who founded Adams Grammar School in 1656. Former pupils of the selective grammar school include Labour Party (UK) leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Further research has also indicated that Adams heritage includes two former President of the United States namely the second and sixth Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams in addition to revolutionary leader Samuel Adams.

Political career

Adams joined the Conservative Party (UK) in 1992.

Following his successful re-election in June 2017, Adams was appointed to the Government as Assistant Government Whip. His departmental responsibilities include Department for Environment, Food and rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Northern Ireland Office (NIO)

In 2016, Adams was one of the key figures in the unsuccessful Conservative Party leadership bid by Boris Johnson and still remains a close ally. Adams appeared in the 2017 BBC docudrama Theresa vs Boris, How May became PM

He contested the marginal Rossendale and Darwen seat at the 2005 general election, coming second with a swing to the Conservatives of 1.9% compared to the 3.1% average they achieved nationally. Adams was then selected as the candidate for the Conservative Party in the newly created seat of Selby and Ainsty in 2006. Four years later at the 2010 general election, Adams was elected with a 23.71% majority.

Following his election to Parliament, Adams was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the House of Lords and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, The Lord Strathclyde, and subsequently to his successor, The Lord Hill of Oareford until his resignation in August 2014. In September 2014 Adams was appointed to the Number 10 Policy Board with responsibility for economic affairs.

Adams was re-elected as Member of Parliament for Selby and Ainsty at the 2015 general election with 27,725 votes, a majority of 13,557 votes and 52.5% of the total votes cast, a swing from Labour of 1.0% compared to a negative national swing of 0.4%. He was re-elected again at the snap election on 8 June 2017 with 32,921 votes and an increased majority and vote share of 13,772 and 58.7% respectively.

Until June 2017, Adams was Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Biomass Group and in 2013 he wrote an article describing the benefits of biomass. He regards wind and solar generation as relatively expensive and inflexible methods of renewable energy. Whilst coal is reliable and available, it is not renewable and converts inactive carbon stored underground into carbon dioxide thus increasing CO₂ levels. Drax and Eggborough power stations are major UK electricity producers in his constituency. Both power stations are capable of burning biomass. In January 2015, Adams introduced the Onshore wind subsidies (abolition) bill to Parliament which passed to the next stage following a close vote. The Conservative government has announced new onshore wind subsidies will end on 1 April 2016.

Until June 2017, Adams was Chairman of the All Party Group for Music and in November 2015 he instigated several Parliamentary debates on the difficulties facing UK musicians accessing visas for touring the US. The group has additionally held a session on the State of Access report aimed at improving access to live music for deaf and disabled people. Adams has campaigned to change the law on Secondary Ticketing and he successfully persuaded the government to outlaw the use of bots for the purpose of purchasing event tickets for resale.[1] He also gained praise by successfully lobbying to outlaw the use of flares and fireworks at music events and festivals. He was Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Industrial Heritage.

Adams was in favour of Brexit prior to the 2016 referendum.

Constituency issues

Expenses

Between 2011 and 2012, Adams claimed the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) approved accommodation allowance of £26,144 against a maximum annual allowance of £27,875 based on having four children living with him in London. Critics pointed out the coalition government removed support for other families earning £60,000. Since his election in 2010, his average accommodation costs have been £21,468.36 per year against a maximum annual allowance of £27,875.00. The costs compare favourably to the accommodation claims by the previous MP for Selby (UK Parliament constituency) John Grogan (politician) which were in excess of £24,000 per year in 2008/9 and 2009/10 despite London rents being far less expensive than today.

Constituency donations

In 2015, Adams voted against plain cigarette packaging in the Tobacco Products Regulation motion. He had previously accepted £1,188 in hospitality from Japan Tobacco International during the 2012 Chelsea Flower Show.

Personal life

Adams is married to Claire (née Robson) who works part-time as his office manager.

A keen sportsman, he played competitive cricket in the York Senior League and is a former member of the Yorkshire Cricket Club's members committee. Adams is currently Secretary of the Lords and Commons Cricket Club and whilst captaining the side against MCC in June 2013 at Lord's Cricket Ground he scored his career best innings of 125 not out.

He is a patron of the Selby Hands of Hope charity. He is active on the Yorkshire committee of the Lord's Taverners. He has served as a governor at two of his former schools, Camblesforth Primary school (2002–04) and Selby High School (2007–11).