Sir John Stanley was first elected as our MP in 1974 and has served our constituency with distinction. On 15th February a dinner will be given in Tonbridge in Sir John's honour to celebrate 40 years of outstanding and dedicated service.
In addition to serving the people of Tonbridge, Edenbridge & Malling, Sir John was appointed in March 1974 a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on nationalised industries. He was Secretary of the Conservative Parliamentary Committee for Industry and Secretary of the Conservative Parliamentary Committee for Trade. From 1976 to 1979 he was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Rt Hon Mrs Margaret Thatcher MP, then leader of the Opposition.
In 1979 he was appointed Minister of State for Housing and Construction, and in 1983 he was made Minister of State for the Armed Forces. Following the General Election of 1987 he was appointed Minister of State for Northern Ireland.
Sir John has been a Member of the House of Commons Select Committee for Foreign Affairs. He has also been Chairman of the Britain-Republic of Korea Parliamentary Group; Chairman of the Britain-Nepal Parliamentary Group; a Vice-Chairman of the Britain-Japan Parliamentary Group; and a Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Group on Child Abduction.
Sir John's unrivalled personal contribution both to the constituency and as a parliamentarian will be marked at the constituency dinner in his honour later this month.