Difference between revisions of "Geoffrey Norris"
Tom Griffin (talk | contribs) m (category:special advisers) |
|||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Template:NuclearSpin}} | {{Template:NuclearSpin}} | ||
− | Geoffrey Norris is seen as one of the most crucial advocates of nuclear power with an ear to | + | '''Geoffrey Norris''' is seen as one of the most crucial advocates of nuclear power with an ear to former UK Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]]. He was Blair's special adviser on energy and industry and has an association with Labour that goes back to the 1980s. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
From 1992 to November 1994 he advised [[Robin Cook]], MP as Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary and prior to that he advised Cook on Health policy. He then moved to become Industry Policy adviser to Tony Blair when Blair was still leader of the Opposition. | From 1992 to November 1994 he advised [[Robin Cook]], MP as Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary and prior to that he advised Cook on Health policy. He then moved to become Industry Policy adviser to Tony Blair when Blair was still leader of the Opposition. | ||
− | In May 1997, Norris was appointed Blair's Special | + | In May 1997, Norris was appointed Blair's Special Adviser responsible for Trade, Industry, Energy, Employment, and Planning. He has stayed close to Blair ever since.<ref>The Industry Forum, [http://www.industry-forum.org/biography.cfm?speakerid=43 Geoffrey Norris Biography]</ref> |
==Closeness to Blair== | ==Closeness to Blair== | ||
− | Even for Blair's special | + | Even for Blair's special advisers, Norris was considered extremely close to Blair. The closeness has rankled [[John Prescott]] who when once asked by the BBC about Norris said: "Who's (Geoffrey) Norris? Mr Norris is an official in the department. We sometimes call them teenyboppers. You know what I mean?"<ref>N. Watt, "Prescott Scathing Over Car Criticism", ''The Times'', May 4, 1998.</ref> |
==Pro-Nuclear== | ==Pro-Nuclear== | ||
− | Norris | + | Norris was said to have pressed the nuclear case extremely hard and along with the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir [[David King]], persuaded Blair to back the need for nuclear. |
In March 2005, the ''Independent on Sunday'' reported how "Within government, Geoffrey Norris, Tony Blair's special adviser on industry and business, is pressing the nuclear case. It is understood that he was instrumental in the creation of the DTI's Future for Nuclear team." One Whitehall source told the paper: "Norris has fought hard to keep nuclear on the agenda."<ref>Clayton Hirst, "Secret DTI Team Gives Green Light For 10 New Nuclear Plants, ''Independent on Sunday'', March 27, 2005.</ref> | In March 2005, the ''Independent on Sunday'' reported how "Within government, Geoffrey Norris, Tony Blair's special adviser on industry and business, is pressing the nuclear case. It is understood that he was instrumental in the creation of the DTI's Future for Nuclear team." One Whitehall source told the paper: "Norris has fought hard to keep nuclear on the agenda."<ref>Clayton Hirst, "Secret DTI Team Gives Green Light For 10 New Nuclear Plants, ''Independent on Sunday'', March 27, 2005.</ref> |
Revision as of 12:24, 17 July 2012
This article is part of the Nuclear Spin project of Spinwatch. |
Geoffrey Norris is seen as one of the most crucial advocates of nuclear power with an ear to former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. He was Blair's special adviser on energy and industry and has an association with Labour that goes back to the 1980s.
History
From 1992 to November 1994 he advised Robin Cook, MP as Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary and prior to that he advised Cook on Health policy. He then moved to become Industry Policy adviser to Tony Blair when Blair was still leader of the Opposition.
In May 1997, Norris was appointed Blair's Special Adviser responsible for Trade, Industry, Energy, Employment, and Planning. He has stayed close to Blair ever since.[1]
Closeness to Blair
Even for Blair's special advisers, Norris was considered extremely close to Blair. The closeness has rankled John Prescott who when once asked by the BBC about Norris said: "Who's (Geoffrey) Norris? Mr Norris is an official in the department. We sometimes call them teenyboppers. You know what I mean?"[2]
Pro-Nuclear
Norris was said to have pressed the nuclear case extremely hard and along with the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King, persuaded Blair to back the need for nuclear.
In March 2005, the Independent on Sunday reported how "Within government, Geoffrey Norris, Tony Blair's special adviser on industry and business, is pressing the nuclear case. It is understood that he was instrumental in the creation of the DTI's Future for Nuclear team." One Whitehall source told the paper: "Norris has fought hard to keep nuclear on the agenda."[3]
References
- ↑ The Industry Forum, Geoffrey Norris Biography
- ↑ N. Watt, "Prescott Scathing Over Car Criticism", The Times, May 4, 1998.
- ↑ Clayton Hirst, "Secret DTI Team Gives Green Light For 10 New Nuclear Plants, Independent on Sunday, March 27, 2005.