Nigel Adams

Nigel Adams (born 30 November 1966) is a British Conservative Party politician, who was elected at the 2010 general election as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Selby and Ainsty in North Yorkshire.

Born in Goole, and raised in Selby, he is the son of a school caretaker and school cleaner. Adams attended Camblesforth Primary School and Selby High School, leaving school in 1984, aged 17.

Adams became a member of the Conservative Party in 1992, working as a volunteer in and between every election until 2010.

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 his 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%.

Adams is 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.

Adams is Chairman of the All Party Group for Music and in November 2015 he instigated a Parliamentary debate 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 also is Patron of the largest Parliamentary competition, Rock the House and Film the House aimed at showcasing young music and film-making talent as well as to raise awareness of the importance of protecting intellectual property rights among legislators and the general public.

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

Others

• On Boxing Day 2015, heavy flooding hit the Tadcaster area in Adams' constituency. Adams ensured that government funding was made available to residents and businesses quickly. He assisted North Yorkshire County Council ensuring a temporary footbridge was erected following difficulties getting agreement with a local landowner over an initial preferred site.
• In autumn 2013, Adams gained praise from the Chancellor, George Osborne for successfully leading the campaign to restore the concessionary coal allowance to retired coal miners, who had their allowance stopped following the collapse of UK Coal.
• In December 2014, Adams and Mark Crane, leader of Selby District Council successfully lobbied race organisers for Selby District to host a stage of the international cycle race known as the Tour de Yorkshire
• He is Vice Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group as Tadcaster in the Selby and Ainsty constituency is a brewing town with Heineken, Molson Coors and Samuel Smith's Old Brewery.
• In October 2015, The Daily Telegraph highlighted problems associated with a private company's recycled waste. The company had gone bankrupt and Adams was pictured in Great Heck where a tip with up to 10,000 tons of "stinking" and steaming household waste was said to be making people sick.

Expenses

Between 2011 and 2012, Adams claimed additional accommodation allowance of £26,144 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, his average accommodation costs have been £21,739.24 per year against a maximum annual allowance of £27,875.00.

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.

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).