Nick Palmer

Palmer's father was a translator/editor and his mother was a language teacher. He is the cousin of Anthony Palmer, a former Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

Palmer attended International Schools in Copenhagen and Vienna. He was awarded an MSc at Copenhagen University and a PhD in Mathematics from Birkbeck College, University of London. He also studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he researched artificial intelligence and language translation.

Palmer speaks six languages, and has worked as a professional translator of Danish and German for the European Commission and other clients.{{citation |url=http://www.translatorscafe.com/cafe/member100778.htm |title=Nicholas Palmer |publisher=Translators Café |date=16 February 2011}}

He was born with a cleft palate and was the first such person to enter Parliament.

As a computer scientist, he developed the COMPACT clinical trials package for the Medical Research Council. Joining the Swiss pharmaceutical firm Ciba-Geigy, he became head of Novartis Internet Service when Ciba-Geigy merged with Sandoz to form Novartis.

Palmer has written three books about board wargames (The Comprehensive Guide to Board Wargaming (1977), The Best of Board Wargaming (1980), and Beyond the Arcade: Adventures and Wargames on Your Computer (1984)). He designed and developed a computer game about the Battle of Britain, named Their Finest Hour.{{citation |url=http://www.crashonline.org.uk/26/finesthour.htm |publisher=Crash |title=Their Finest Hour |issue=26 }} Palmer still attends international conventions, winning the Diplomacy championship at the World Boardgaming Championships in 2007,{{citation |url=http://www.boardgamers.org/yearbook07/dippge.htm |title=Diplomacy 2007 WBC Report |publisher=Boardgame Players Association }} as well as giving a seminar in 2008 comparing the traits needed to succeed in wargaming to the traits needed to succeed in politics.{{citation |url=http://boardgamers.org/wbc08/seminars.htm |title=WBC 2008 Seminars |publisher=Boardgame Players Association }}

He co-founded and edited Flagship magazine in 1983, which focused on play-by-mail games. A keen card player, he has represented the House of Commons at bridge.{{cite magazine|magazine=The Spectator|author=Raymond Keene|url=http://www.msoworld.com/Press/MSO3/Press/Press72.html|title=Party pieces|date=14 August 1999|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061228172629/http://www.msoworld.com/Press/MSO3/Press/Press72.html|archive-date=28 December 2006|df=dmy-all}}

Palmer joined the Labour Party on his twenty-first birthday and was selected as the Labour candidate for the ultra-safe Conservative seat of Chelsea in the 1983 general election. Prior to contesting Broxtowe, he edited and published a magazine to represent the views of ordinary Labour party members – Grass Roots.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0eX1AAAACAAJ|title=Parliamentary Portions|year=1998|isbn=1-902301-06-4|author=Philipa Coughlan|publisher=Politico's Pub.|location=London}}

While an MP, he served on a number of Select committees including the European Scrutiny Committee,{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmselect/cmeuleg/803/80301.htm |publisher=Parliament Publications & Records|title=Select Committee on European Scrutiny First Special Report |date=18 November 1998}} the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee,{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/commons/selcom/niapnt01.htm |title=Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Press Notice No. 1 of Session 2001–02 |date=20 July 2001 |publisher=Parliament Publications & Records |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018072840/http://www.parliament.uk/commons/selcom/niapnt01.htm |archive-date=18 October 2006 |df=dmy-all }} and the Treasury Committee.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/talking_point/2512281.stm |publisher=BBC |title=Pre-Budget report: Did the chancellor get it right? |date= 28 November 2002}} and also served as a member of the Justice Committee.{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/justice/members.cfm |title=Justice Committee: Members |access-date=13 June 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080508004033/http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/justice/members.cfm |archive-date = 8 May 2008}}

File:Nick Palmer, Ruth Kelly and Bus Pass.jpg, Ruth Kelly, launching free bus travel.]]

He suggested TV Licence exemption for over-75s which was then adopted by the government, along with similar measures like free bus passes for the elderly.{{cite web|url=http://www.faceforward.org.uk/forums/adult/viewtopic.php?t=100&sid=6d205b9e05acfa71a50b0994d3ae4074|title=FOCUS – Nick Palmer|publisher=Face Forward|date=23 Feb 2006|author=Brian D|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002112112/http://www.faceforward.org.uk/forums/adult/viewtopic.php?t=100&sid=6d205b9e05acfa71a50b0994d3ae4074|archive-date=2 October 2011|df=dmy-all}}

In January 1998, Palmer introduced a bill under the Ten Minute Rule, amending the Firearms act 1968 and raising the age for possession of air weapons, especially to prevent malicious use against pets.{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1998-01-21a.1016.0|title=Acquisition and Possession of Air Weapons (Restriction), House of Commons debates, 21 January 1998|access-date=20 April 2010}}

{{citation |url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=42583|title=The Cats Protection League backs Air Rifle Bill|publisher=Cats Protection League }}{{citation |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmselect/cmhaff/95/9508.htm |date=23 June 1999 |title=Select Committee on Home Affairs Second Report |publisher=Parliament Publications & Records}}

In April 2000, he introduced a private member's bill to presume consent for organ donation,{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/2000/apr/11/organ-transplants-presumed-consent|title= Hansard: Organ Transplants (Presumed Consent) House of Commons debates, 11 April 2000| access-date=5 July 2022}} a measure still being considered which could increase transplants by 25%.{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/4239652/Presumed-consent-for-organ-donation-could-increase-transplants-by-a-quarter.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100101212109/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/4239652/Presumed-consent-for-organ-donation-could-increase-transplants-by-a-quarter.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 1 January 2010 |title=Presumed consent for organ donation could increase transplants by a quarter |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=14 January 2009 |access-date=20 April 2010 | location=London | first=Rebecca | last=Smith}}

In January 2002, he introduced a 10-minute rule bill advocating Identity Cards{{cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2002-01-23.905.0 |title= HC Deb, 23 January 2002, c905 |access-date=20 April 2010}} which was adopted by the Government. He subsequently brokered a deal to get the government's version through the Lords.{{citation | url = https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo060329/debtext/60329-46.htm | publisher = Hansard | title = Debate | date = 29 March 2006 }}

He campaigned for five years for bells to be fitted to all new bicycles in response to a petition from his constituents. A bill was passed making them compulsory from 1 May 2004.{{cite news |title=Welcome back, bicycle bell|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3667513.stm |date=29 April 2004 |publisher=BBC}}

He introduced a bill about fine print, requiring a minimum size of print in documents, especially those relating to advertising and contracts.{{citation | url = https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080226/debtext/80226-0006.htm | publisher = Hansard | title = Debate | date = 26 February 2008 }}

In December 2005, he introduced another 10-minute rule bill intended to ensure speed camera warning signs displayed the limit they enforced.{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2005-12-13b.1236.0|title=Road Traffic Signs (Enforcement Cameras)HC Deb, 13 December 2005, c1236|access-date=20 April 2010}}

In May 2008, he introduced an amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 requiring that "strictly neutral information" be provided in cases of foetal abnormality.{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2008-05-20b.264.0|title=New Clause 8 — Amendment of the law relating to abortion|date=20 May 2008|publisher=Parliament Publications & Records}} This was based on his parents' experience of the expert advice from pioneering surgeon Archibald McIndoe who successfully reconstructed his cleft palate.{{Cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/may/19/health.stemcells |title=Amendment could cut number of late abortions |first=Jenny |last=Percival |newspaper=The Guardian |date=19 May 2008 | location=London}}

He gave speeches in the Commons on animal welfare issues{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo020318/debtext/20318-32.htm#20318-32_spnew4 |publisher=Hansard|title=Debate on Hunting with Dogs bill |date=18 March 2002}}{{cite web |publisher=Hansard |title=DEFRA questions |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080131/debtext/80131-0002.htm#08013153001670 |date=31 January 2008}}{{cite news |url= http://politics.guardian.co.uk/person/0,9290,-10970,00.html |title=Nick Palmer |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=13 June 2008 |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060621115102/http://politics.guardian.co.uk/person/0%2C9290%2C-10970%2C00.html |archive-date=21 June 2006 |df=dmy-all }} and in December 2009 he was one of 8 cross-party supporters of a bill introduced by Nigel Waterson to "make provision for residents of care homes and sheltered accommodation to keep domestic pets in certain circumstances."{{cite web |url= https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2009-12-16a.980.4|title= Care Homes and Sheltered Accommodation (Domestic Pets) Bill, House of Commons debates, 16 December 2009 |access-date=20 April 2010}}

Based on his experience as a computer software developer, he spoke against the terms of the Digital Economy Bill and joined Tom Watson and Austin Mitchell in leading a Labour rebellion against its third reading.{{Cite book |chapter-url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?isbn=2010-04-07a.1107.5&s=speaker:10660 |chapter=Clause 4 — Obligation to notify subscribers of reported infringements |title=House of Commons debates |date=7 April 2010|publisher=They Work For You }}

Palmer belonged to an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Animal Welfare, Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) and World Government. He is a member of the East Midlands Labour Group and serves on the Executive of the Labour Friends of Israel. He helped organise the visit of the Dalai Lama to Britain in 2008, organising meetings and a special exhibit of a mandala in the House of Commons.{{citation |title=MP hosts special exhibition at Westminster |url=http://www.beestonexpress.co.uk/images/beestonexpress/May23pdfs/May23p5.pdf |publisher=Beeston Express |date=23 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120000801/http://www.beestonexpress.co.uk/images/beestonexpress/May23pdfs/May23p5.pdf |archive-date=20 November 2008 |df=dmy-all }}

With his secretary, Philipa Coughlan (with sons Nick and Sean) and fellow MP, Liz Blackman, he compiled a book of recipes favoured by MPs. For example, Tony Blair's recipe was for Meatball and Tomato Sauce while speaker Betty Boothroyd preferred Stewed Oxtail. Nick Palmer's own recipe was for Swiss-style potatoes – Berner Roesti.

File:David Miliband and Nick Palmer canvassing in Stapleford.jpg in Stapleford in the 2010 election]]

Palmer was one of many new Labour MPs elected in what was a landslide election for Labour in 1997. He held the seat comfortably with an increased majority at the 2001 election, and again with a reduced majority in 2005 election. An opinion piece suggested that part of the reason that Palmer had held his seat was due to his high constituency work rate.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/node/161632|title=Will envelopes die in vain?|author=Philip Cowley|date= 7 March 2005|access-date=10 March 2015|magazine=New Statesman}} In the 2010 election, the seat was lost to the Conservative candidate Anna Soubry, reflecting a national swing.{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/173732/General-Election-2010-David-Cameron-in-rallying-cry-to-Lib-Dems|access-date=10 March 2015|date=7 May 2010|title=General Election 2010: David Cameron in rallying cry to Lib Dems|newspaper=The Express}}

While an MP, he responded to a "very high" percentage of constituents' letters,{{cite web|url=http://www.writetothem.com/stats/2007/mps|title=MP Responsiveness League Table|access-date=23 May 2008}} addressing matters of local concern such as open-cast mining and the development of the local Nottingham tramway{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/articles/2004/09/02/messageboard_2004_09_tram_webchat_transcript_feature.shtml|title=Tram webchat – the transcript|publisher=BBC|date= 24 March 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stapleford-notts.co.uk/nick_palmer.htm|title=Nick Palmer's – Newsletters|publisher=StaplefordWeb|access-date=18 May 2008}} and in February 2008 he asked about "proposals to build on virtually the entire green belt" in Broxtowe at Prime Minister's Questions.{{cite web|url= https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2008-02-06c.955.2|title=HC Debates, 6 February 2008, c955|access-date=20 April 2010}} In June 2008 he asked the Department for Transport about the second phase of the tram/train trials.{{cite web|url= https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2008-06-09c.209852.h&s=nick+palmer+tram+speaker%3A10472#g209852.q0|title= HC Deb, 9 June 2008, c35W|access-date=20 April 2010}} He campaigned for and organised a bus service to link Kimberley with the Nottingham tram at Phoenix Park.{{citation |url=http://www.eastwoodadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/163-500-000-bus-boost-for-kimberley-1-658826|title=£500,000 bus boost for Kimberley|publisher=Eastwood & Kimberley Advertiser}}

{{Clear}}

A month after losing his seat in the 2010 general election, Palmer became the first ex-MP to sign on for unemployment benefit. He said this was partly to keep his national insurance contributions continuous and partly to explore for himself what the unemployment services are like.{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/7820080/Labours-Nick-Palmer-become-first-ex-MP-to-go-on-the-dole.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614180636/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/7820080/Labours-Nick-Palmer-become-first-ex-MP-to-go-on-the-dole.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=14 June 2010 | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=John | last=Bingham | title=Labour's Nick Palmer become first ex-MP to go on the dole | date=11 June 2010}} Palmer described the experience as sensitive but said he had received plenty of helpful suggestions and was favourably impressed.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/politics/did-ex-MP-Nick-Palmer-think-Nottingham-s-Job-Centre-Plus/article-2259187-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919095348/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/politics/did-ex-MP-Nick-Palmer-think-Nottingham-s-Job-Centre-Plus/article-2259187-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 September 2012|title=What did ex-MP Nick Palmer think of Nottingham's Job Centre Plus?|date=3 June 2010|access-date=8 June 2010}} In September 2010, he became Director of International and Corporate Affairs for the BUAV.{{citation |url=http://www.buav.org/article/530/buav-welcomes-dr-nick-palmer-former-mp-for-broxtowe |publisher=BUAV |title=BUAV welcomes Dr Nick Palmer, former MP for Broxtowe |date=15 September 2010 |access-date=1 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403010806/http://www.buav.org/article/530/buav-welcomes-dr-nick-palmer-former-mp-for-broxtowe |archive-date=3 April 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

In September 2011 Palmer contributed to the book What next for Labour?. He wrote two pieces, one entitled "Student Fees: A Constructive Response" and the other "Animal Welfare: The Neglected Swing Issue".[http://www.whatnextforlabour.com/contributors/ What Next for Labour: Contributors] He is the patron of Cats Protection. In August 2010, pursuing his interest in animal welfare, he joined the Cruelty Free International as their Director of International and Corporate Relations.{{citation |title=Former MP Nick Palmer joins fight against animal testing with new role |date=16 September 2010 |url=http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/MP-Nick-Palmer-joins-fight-animal-testing-new-role/story-12249060-detail/story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913171808/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/MP-Nick-Palmer-joins-fight-animal-testing-new-role/story-12249060-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 September 2012 |journal=This is Nottingham }} He then joined Compassion in World Farming to head the UK branch of the charity which campaigns for the welfare of farm animals.{{citation |url=https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/where-are-they-now-nick-palmer-ex-labour-mp |author=Sienna Rodgers |date=17 August 2022 |title=Where Are They Now? Nick Palmer |publisher=The House}}

He stood again for the Broxtowe seat at the 2015 general election but failed to regain the seat.{{cite news|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/close-time/story-26131283-detail/story.html|title=Bookmakers say Anna Soubry could be one of the high profile election 'casualties'|date=7 March 2015|newspaper=Nottingham Post|access-date=10 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311024836/http://www.nottinghampost.com/close-time/story-26131283-detail/story.html|archive-date=11 March 2015|df=dmy-all}} In September 2016 he intervened in the leadership battle between Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Smith. Palmer described himself as one who considered the 1997–2010 Labour government as 'very successful' but 'blighted by the disaster of Iraq'. He called on members and parliamentarians to give Corbyn a 'decent chance'.{{cite web|url=http://labourlist.org/2016/09/we-are-too-ready-to-call-each-other-blairites-or-corbynites-lets-remember-what-made-us-labour-an-ex-mp-writers|title=We are too ready to call each other Blairites or Corbynites – let's remember what made us Labour|last=Palmer|first=Nick|date=6 September 2016|website=|publisher=|access-date=6 September 2016}}

On 2 May 2019, he was elected to Waverley Borough Council in the Godalming Binscombe Ward.[http://www.haslemereherald.com/article.cfm?id=135717&headline=Local%20Election%202019:%20Tories%20lose%20Waverley%20majority%20on%20historic%20day%20for%20borough§ionIs=news&searchyear=2019 Haslemere Herald] He led the Labour group on the council and chaired the local party, receiving an award for endurance on the 50th anniversary of his party membership.{{r|SR}} He resigned from Waverley Council in August 2024 where he was said to have been "one of the most popular Waverley members".{{citation |title=Godalming Binscombe & Charterhouse By-election coming soon |url=https://waverleyweb.org/2024/08/28/godalming-binscombe-charterhouse-by-election-coming-soon/ |website=Waverley Web |date=28 August 2024}}

{{Reflist|2}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.nickpalmer.org.uk/ Positive Politics from Nick Palmer]
• [http://politics.guardian.co.uk/person/0,9290,-10970,00.html The Guardian's Ask Aristotle]
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/mpdb/html/104.stm BBC profile]
• [http://www.broxtowelabour.org/ Broxtowe Labour Party]
• [http://www.stapleford-notts.co.uk/nick_palmer.htm Newsletters at Stapleford Web]
• [http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpn=Nick_Palmer&mpc=Broxtowe Voting record at The Public Whip]

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{{succession box

| title = Member of Parliament for Broxtowe

| years = 1997–2010

| before = Jim Lester

| after = Anna Soubry

}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Palmer, Nick}}

Category:1950 births

Category:Living people

Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies

Category:Labour Friends of Israel

Category:UK MPs 1997–2001

Category:UK MPs 2001–2005

Category:UK MPs 2005–2010

Category:British video game designers

Category:English computer scientists

Category:Alumni of Birkbeck, University of London

Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni

Category:University of Copenhagen alumni