Harry Barnes (Labour politician)
Harry Barnes | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for North East Derbyshire | |
| In office 11 June 1987 – 11 April 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Raymond Ellis |
| Succeeded by | Natascha Engel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 July 1936 Easington, County Durham, England |
| Died | 16 February 2026 (aged 89) |
| Party | Labour |
| Alma mater | Ruskin College University of Hull[1] |
Harold Barnes (22 July 1936 – 16 February 2026) was an English politician who was the Labour Party Member of Parliament for North East Derbyshire from 1987 to 2005.
Early life and career
Born in Easington Colliery, County Durham, Barnes was educated at Ruskin College in Oxford and the University of Hull. He was elected to Parliament in the 1987 election. Barnes stood down at the May 2005 general election, and was succeeded by Natascha Engel.
Political positions
Barnes was considered to be on the left of the party, and as a member of the Socialist Campaign Group (SCG) he voted against Tony Blair's leadership on a number of issues.[2] However, unlike other members of the SCG he was not an advocate of the Troops Out Movement (from Northern Ireland). When the group split over NATO intervention in Kosovo in 1999, he supported intervention, which was the position of the government.[3]
Before entering parliament, Barnes was a member of the Independent Labour Party's successor organisation, Independent Labour Publications.[1] As an MP, he joined a supporters group, Friends of the ILP.
Death
Barnes died from cancer on 16 February 2026, at the age of 89.[4]
References
- ^ a b "Candidate: Harry Barnes" | Vote 2001". BBC News.
- ^ "Harry Barnes, Labour MP, North-East Derbyshire". BBC News. 17 October 2002.
- ^ Harry Barnes (22 April 1999). "Letter: Battles over Kosovo". The Independent.
- ^ "Tributes pour for former Derbyshire Labour MP Harry Barnes who was 'determined and passionate' champion for local people". Derbyshire Times. 17 February 2026.