Paul Laxton

Born December 1952. Educated at St Mary's College Blackburn 1964-71. Graduate of Keele University, B.Ed. Upper Second Class Honours in History and Education. Taught History at Springwood High School Kings Lynn and then Clayton High School Newcastle-Under-Lyme until quitting teaching to join the Prison Service in 1984. Retired in 2010 after serving at nine different establishments including stints as Deputy Governor at Dover, Ford and Lewes and Temporary Governor at HMP Coldingley in Surrey. An active trade unionist was a member of the NEC of the Prison Governor's Association 2007-10. Chaired Annual Conference of the Prison Governor's Association on four occasions. Awarded Distinguished Life Membership (DLM) on retirement in 2010.

Joined the Retired Prison Governors Association (RPGA) on retirement. Current editor of the RPGA newsletter. Also active member of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) serving as Chairman of the Huddersfield and District Branch 2011-14. Committee member of the West Yorkshire branch of the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance (CPSA).

Married to Leonore since 2002. One daughter, Genevieve, by my first marriage.

Likes: Blackburn Rovers, Horse Racing, Political biography, Whistle Blowers and Glam Rock.

Dislikes: Mashed potatoes and more seriously the metropolitan elite who stand against popular sovereignty, freedom of expression and the independence of our country.