Norman Baker

Baker was born in Aberdeen, but his family moved to Hornchurch in east London in 1968.Ben Quinn, [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/nov/04/norman-baker-politics-life-and-times-departure-cabinet Norman Baker life and times: poacher who eventually became gamekeeper] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118220412/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/nov/04/norman-baker-politics-life-and-times-departure-cabinet |date=18 November 2018 }}, The Guardian (4 November 2014). He was educated at the Royal Liberty School in Gidea Park, near Romford, and at Royal Holloway College, University of London, graduating in 1978 with a BA degree in German & History.{{cite news |url=http://www.libdems.org.uk/party/people/mr-norman-baker.0003.html |title=Who's Who: Norman Baker MP |work=Liberal Democrats website |access-date=24 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218170136/http://www.libdems.org.uk/party/people/mr-norman-baker.0003.html |archive-date=18 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}[http://www.rhul.ac.uk/messages/press/message.asp?ref_no=2210 Election highs for Royal Holloway alumni] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609085453/http://www.rhul.ac.uk/messages/press/message.asp?ref_no=2210 |date=9 June 2011 }}, www.rhul.ac.uk

Baker joined the Liberal Party in 1981 while living in Islington and in his memoir he described himself as a 'sleeping' party member save for one canvassing session in six years. In 1985 he joined the then Ecology Party before seeking his first council seat in Ouse Valley ward of Lewes District Council in 1987.{{cite book |last1=Baker |first1=Norman |title=Against the grain |year=2015 |isbn=978-1849549417 |page=1}} Two years later in 1989 Baker was also elected to the local county council of East Sussex. He became the Leader of Lewes District Council in 1991, a position he held until his election as an MP in 1997.

Outside of politics Baker was a regional director for Our Price Records for five years from 1978. He worked at Malling Street Service Station, Lewes, from 1983 to 1985. He taught English as a foreign language from 1985 to 1997, with a spell as a Liberal Democrat environment researcher in the House of Commons in 1989 to 1990.{{cite news |title=Norman Baker MP (subscription required) |work=DodOnline }}

Baker contested Lewes at the 1992 general election, but the sitting Conservative Party MP Tim Rathbone retained the seat.{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge92/i13.htm |title=UK general election results, April 1992: Lewes |work=Richard Kimber's political science resources |access-date=24 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925070531/http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge92/i13.htm |archive-date=25 September 2006 |url-status=live }} He stood again at the 1997 election, and this time gained the seat with a majority of 1,300 votes over Rathbone,{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/constit/486.htm |title=UK general election results, May 1997: Lewes |work=Richard Kimber's political science resources |access-date=24 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130092202/http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/constit/486.htm |archive-date=30 November 2007 |url-status=live }} becoming Lewes's first non-Conservative MP since 1874.

Baker prided himself on "uncovering scandals and conflicts of interest among MPs and the government". His consistent questioning of Peter Mandelson may have helped lead to Mandelson's second resignation from government.{{cite news |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2271651.ece |title=Is Norman Baker the most hated man in Westminster? |author=Nigel Morris |work=The Independent |date=15 February 2007 |access-date=24 November 2007 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304042341/http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2271651.ece |archive-date=4 March 2007 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/talking_politics/1138231.stm |title=Norman Baker's week in politics |work=BBC News |date=26 January 2001 |access-date=24 November 2007 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021002111124/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/talking_politics/1138231.stm |archive-date=2 October 2002 |url-status=live }} He also raised issues about Lord Birt and his role as Tony Blair's adviser. After compiling figures in 2002, which revealed that the government's fleet of ministerial cars had grown to its largest ever size,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/guardianpolitics/story/0,3605,861873,00.html |title=Ministers' car fleet grows to record size |author=David Hencke |work=The Guardian |date=18 December 2002 |access-date=24 November 2007 |location=London}} he began in January 2005 to campaign to force disclosure of the details of MPs' expenses under the Freedom of Information Act, finally succeeding in February 2007.{{cite news |url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/green/story/0,,2012662,00.html |title=From £16,000 on trains to £230 on a bike: politicians' travel expenses revealed |author=Will Woodward |work=The Guardian |date=14 February 2007 |access-date=24 November 2007 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070402220105/http://politics.guardian.co.uk/green/story/0%2C%2C2012662%2C00.html |archive-date=2 April 2007 |url-status=live }} His success enabled The Daily Telegraph to publish details of his own expense claims, which included £3,000 for office rental.

In October 2001 he won a test case in the High Court, when the National Security Appeals panel ruled that the Data Protection Act required the security service MI5 to allow him access to information which he believed the security service holds on him, the first time this had happened in the 92-year history of MI5.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1573571.stm |title=MP wins landmark battle over MI5 files |work=BBC News |date=1 October 2001 |access-date=24 November 2007 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040612030626/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1573571.stm |archive-date=12 June 2004 |url-status=live }} In 2001 he was named "Inquisitor of the Year" in The Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year Awards, and in February 2002 he won the Channel 4 Opposition MP of the Year Award.{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Trudi |title=Your call... your MP |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/politics_show/6211490.stm |access-date=30 April 2016 |work=BBC One |agency=BBC |date=7 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602084308/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/politics_show/6211490.stm |archive-date=2 June 2016 |url-status=live }}

Baker is regarded as coming from the left-wing of the party, and until losing his seat was a member of the Beveridge Group within the Liberal Democrats.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2118822.stm |title=Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat MP |work=BBC News |access-date=24 November 2007 |date=22 October 2002 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213123651/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2118822.stm |archive-date=13 February 2006 |url-status=live }} A staunch republican, he is also well known for his vocal support for animal rights groups, and he is a strong proponent for greater protection of animals under law.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2044952.stm |title="I'm no bore" says Baker |work=BBC News |date=14 June 2002 |access-date=24 November 2007 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131190857/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2044952.stm |archive-date=31 January 2009 |url-status=live }} In 1997, The Times columnist Matthew Parris described him as a "classic House of Commons bore", and in the Commons in 2002, Labour MP Stephen Pound likened his speeches to "root canal surgery without anaesthetic",{{cite news |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo020612/debtext/20612-02.htm |title=Hansard, 12 Jun 2002: Column 860 |publisher=House of Commons |date=12 June 2002 |access-date=24 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022181707/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo020612/debtext/20612-02.htm |archive-date=22 October 2006 |url-status=live }} but Parris added in 2001 "You underestimate him at your peril. He has a habit of being right." He asked two parliamentary questions of the Ministry of Defence in 2006 and 2007 on the subject of what the Ministry calls "unexplained aerial phenomena" including: "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department's unidentified flying objects project is extant; and if he will make a statement."{{cite news |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo060328/text/60328w18.htm#60328w18.html_wqn5 |title=Hansard, 28 Mar 2006: Column 905W |publisher=House of Commons |date=28 March 2006 |access-date=15 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222223504/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo060328/text/60328w18.htm#60328w18.html_wqn5 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live }}

Following the 2008 Camp for Climate Action at the coal-fired Kingsnorth power station in Kent (since demolished), Baker called for an investigation into police tactics, saying he had witnessed unnecessarily aggressive policing and unprovoked violence against peaceful protesters during the event.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/dec/15/kingsnorth-climate-change-environment-police|title=Those Kingsnorth police injuries in full: six insect bites and a toothache|date=15 December 2008|access-date=10 December 2021|work=The Guardian|first=John|last=Vidal}}

In the 2001–05 Parliament, Baker was a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, and was appointed as Liberal Democrat Environment spokesman in 2002, a post he held until his resignation in 2006 following the election of Sir Menzies Campbell as party leader.

As Environment spokesman in May 2005, he joined with two former environment ministers, the Labour MP Michael Meacher and the Conservative John Gummer, to table a cross-party Early day motion No. 178{{cite web |url=http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=28373 |title=Early Day Motion 178: Climate Change |access-date=24 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113141314/http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=28373 |archive-date=13 January 2006 |url-status=dead }} in support of a Climate Change Bill drafted by Friends of the Earth.{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/pabills/200506/climate_change.htm |title=Climate Change Bill, 2005 |publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom |date=13 July 2005 |access-date=24 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115012923/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/pabills/200506/climate_change.htm |archive-date=15 November 2007 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/news/gov_climate_bill.html |title=Friends of the Earth secures Climate Change Bill |work=Friends of the Earth website |access-date=24 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007233023/http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/news/gov_climate_bill.html |archive-date=7 October 2007 |url-status=live }} The motion called for a Bill to be "brought forward in this Parliament so that annual cuts in carbon dioxide emissions of 3 per cent can be delivered in a framework that includes regular reporting and new scrutiny and corrective processes" and attracted 412 signatures. Baker also opposed nuclear power, describing it as "hopelessly uneconomic", and warning that new nuclear power stations "would generate vast quantities of nuclear waste and divert essential funding away from energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy."{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4620072.stm |title=Nuclear energy 'too uneconomic' |work=BBC News |date=17 January 2006 |access-date=24 November 2007 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060325143143/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4620072.stm |archive-date=25 March 2006 |url-status=live }}

He returned to the front bench in July 2007, when he was appointed as Liberal Democrat spokesman on the Cabinet Office and the Duchy of Lancaster.{{cite news |url=http://libdems.org.uk/news/story.html?id=12853&navPage=news.html |title=Menzies Campbell unveils new Shadow Cabinet |work=Liberal Democrats website |date=4 July 2007 |access-date=24 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406110709/http://libdems.org.uk/news/story.html?id=12853&navPage=news.html |archive-date=6 April 2017 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.wolverhampton.libdems.org.uk/news/000795/sir_menzies_reshuffles_top_team.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918044627/http://www.wolverhampton.libdems.org.uk/news/000795/sir_menzies_reshuffles_top_team.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 September 2012 |title=Sir Menzies reshuffles top team |author=Wolverhampton Liberal Democrats |date=4 July 2007 |access-date=24 November 2007 }} In December 2007, after the election of Nick Clegg as party leader, Baker (who had supported Clegg in the leadership contest) returned to the front bench as spokesman on Transport.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/21/nlibdem121.xml |title=Charles Kennedy on Nick Clegg's front bench |author=Rosa Prince |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 December 2007 |access-date=24 November 2007 |location=London}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web |url=http://www.libdems.org.uk/news/nick-clegg-reveals-shadow-cabinet.13689.html |title=Nick Clegg reveals Shadow Cabinet |work=Liberal Democrats website |date=20 December 2007 |access-date=24 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222190755/http://www.libdems.org.uk/news/nick-clegg-reveals-shadow-cabinet.13689.html |archive-date=22 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}

Baker announced on 19 May 2006 that he had decided to step down from the Liberal Democrats' front bench to pursue a quest to establish the truth behind the death in 2003 of David Kelly,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4995076.stm |title=MP investigates Dr Kelly's death |author=Brian Wheeler |work=BBC News |date=19 May 2006 |access-date=24 November 2007 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808011132/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4995076.stm |archive-date=8 August 2007 |url-status=live }} an expert in biological warfare employed by the Ministry of Defence and a former United Nations weapons inspector in Iraq. Kelly's discussion with BBC Today programme journalist Andrew Gilligan about the British government's dossier on weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq inadvertently caused a major political scandal. Kelly had been found dead days after appearing before the Parliamentary committee investigating the scandal.

The Hutton Inquiry, a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death, ruled that he had committed suicide and that Kelly had not in fact said some of the things attributed to him by Gilligan. Baker said that Hutton had "blatantly failed to get to the bottom of matters", and that "the more I look into it the less convinced I am by the explanation and the more unanswered questions appear which ought to have been addressed properly by the Hutton inquiry or by the coroner."

In July that year, Baker claimed that data had been wiped from the hard drive on one of his computers. Although some news reports suggested that this related to evidence showing Kelly's death was not a suicide,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/5178302.stm |title=Files 'wiped' in Dr Kelly inquiry |work=BBC News |date=13 July 2006 |access-date=24 November 2007 | location=London}}{{cite news |url=http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1024802006 |title=MP says files into Kelly death have been wiped |work=The Scotsman |date=14 July 2006 |access-date=24 November 2007 |location=Edinburgh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516082150/http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1024802006 |archive-date=16 May 2007 |url-status=live }} Baker maintained that none of his research on Kelly had been stored on that particular machine.The Strange Death of David Kelly Norman Baker In April 2007 he announced his findings, telling a meeting in Lewes:

I am convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that this could not be suicide. The medical evidence does not support it and David Kelly's state of mind and personality suggests otherwise. It was not an accident so I am left with the conclusion that it is murder."{{cite news |url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/display.var.1327811.0.0.php |title=Murder theory that just won't go away |author=Miles Godfrey And Katya Mira |work=The Argus |date=13 April 2007 |access-date=24 November 2007 |quote=The greatest British conspiracy theory of the modern age was unveiled this week. Lewes MP Norman Baker set out in detail for the first time why he believes the secret service murdered the Government scientist Dr David Kelly. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509114921/http://www.theargus.co.uk/display.var.1327811.0.0.php |archive-date=9 May 2007 |url-status=live }}

His book, The Strange Death of David Kelly, was published in October 2007, and serialised in the Daily Mail. Some relatives of Kelly have expressed their displeasure at the publication. The husband of Kelly's sister Sarah said "It is just raking over old bones ... I can't speak for the whole family, but I've read it all [Baker's theories], every word, and I don't believe it."{{cite news |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article3081832.ece |title=Kelly family appeals for calm after new murder claims by MP |author=Brian Brady and Rachel Shields |work=The Independent |date=21 October 2007 |access-date=24 November 2007 |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224022437/http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article3081832.ece |archive-date=24 December 2007 |df=dmy-all }} However, Baker writes in the book that other relatives of Kelly also think his death was suspicious.

In December 2007, Baker was criticised, but not fined by the House of Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges for a newsletter which contained an "advertising feature" about a Liberal Democrat MEP.{{cite news |url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/generalnews/display.var.1907968.0.mp_criticised_over_spending.php |title=MP criticised over spending |author=Katya Mira |work=The Argus |date=16 December 2007 |access-date=24 November 2007}} The Committee's report concluded: "We agree with the Commissioner that this element of Mr Donovan's complaint should be upheld, and we reiterate that the inclusion of material of a party political nature is not permissible in publications funded from parliamentary allowances."{{cite news |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmstnprv/182/18203.htm#a2 |title=Select Committee on Standards and Privileges Second Report of Session 2007-08: Conduct of Mr Norman Baker, Mr Malcolm Bruce and Mr Sadiq Khan |publisher=House of Commons |date=13 December 2007 |access-date=24 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626171346/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmstnprv/182/18203.htm#a2 |archive-date=26 June 2009 |url-status=live }}

Baker is President of the Tibet Society,{{cite web |url=http://www.tibetsociety.com/ |title=Tibet Society website |access-date=21 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306071129/http://www.tibetsociety.com/ |archive-date=6 March 2008 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7301644.stm |title=Tibetan exiles vent their anger |work=BBC News |date=18 March 2008 |author=Iain Haddow |access-date=21 March 2008 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321183851/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7301644.stm |archive-date=21 March 2008 |url-status=live }} and was a member of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet.{{cite web |url=http://www.freetibet.org/press/pr210208.html |title=Norman Baker MP speaks about threats to Tibetian language |work=Free Tibet Campaign |date=21 February 2008 |access-date=20 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305191030/http://www.freetibet.org/press/pr210208.html |archive-date=5 March 2008}}

In February 2008 he released a statement to mark International Mother Language Day saying "The Chinese government are following a deliberate policy of extinguishing all that is Tibetan, including their own language in their own country. It may be obvious, but Tibetan should be the official language of Tibet." Tibetan is an official language of Tibet and other Tibetan-inhabited areas in China. In school, the younger grades are taught in Tibetan for new ideas, but the rest is in Mandarin Chinese including for concepts in sciences and maths.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66D0D320100714|title=Tibetans' mother tongue faces tide of Chinese|first=Ben|last=Blanchard|location=Shigatse|date=13 July 2010|access-date=26 August 2010|work=Reuters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027073841/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66D0D320100714|archive-date=27 October 2010|url-status=live}}

On 18 March 2008 he addressed Tibetan protesters outside the Chinese embassy in London, and also delivered a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown from six Tibetan students in the UK who were supporting Tibetans in the 2008 Tibetan unrest. The students' letter called for an end to the unrest's suppression, a UN investigation into it, and for unfettered media access in Tibet.

In March 2010, the BBC ran an investigation detailing 37 occasions that Baker failed to declare a financial interest in Tibet during parliamentary debates and questions, despite receiving hospitality from the Tibetan government-in-exile. Baker released a statement saying that it was an oversight.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8574332.stm |work=BBC News |title=Norman Baker MP: Foreign trips and rule breaches |date=22 March 2010 |access-date=20 May 2010}}

At the 2010 general election Baker was again returned as MP for Lewes.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/election2010/results/constituency/c59.stm|title=BBC News {{!}} Election 2010 {{!}} Constituency {{!}} Lewes|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=2019-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705130113/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/election2010/results/constituency/c59.stm|archive-date=5 July 2019|url-status=live}} The Liberal Democrats entered a coalition agreement with the Conservative Party on 11 May 2010, and Baker was appointed Parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Transport.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/norman-baker|title=The Rt Hon Norman Baker - GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922112845/https://www.gov.uk/government/people/norman-baker|archive-date=22 September 2019|url-status=live}}

In 2013, Baker was quoted as saying that rail fares were "not that expensive" when compared to fares for rail travel in other countries, and that deals that were available reduced the price significantly. This was against fare increases of more than 50% for "the average season ticket" between 2003 and 2013.{{cite news |last=Hope |first=Christopher |title=New rail fares 'not as expensive as presented', says Norman Baker |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/9775309/New-rail-fares-not-as-expensive-as-they-seem-says-Norman-Baker.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=2 January 2013 |access-date=30 November 2013 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104100553/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/9775309/New-rail-fares-not-as-expensive-as-they-seem-says-Norman-Baker.html |archive-date=4 January 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Matthew |title='Rail an extravagance for many' after 50% fare rises in 10 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jan/02/rail-fares-rise-unaffordable |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 January 2013 |access-date=15 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223013508/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jan/02/rail-fares-rise-unaffordable |archive-date=23 February 2014 |url-status=live }}

In the October 2013 reshuffle, Baker was appointed to the Home Office as Minister of State, overseeing issues relating to national security, replacing fellow Liberal Democrat Jeremy Browne. In this role he repeatedly suggested changes to drug policy, saying that patients should have access to cannabis for cancer pain relief and multiple sclerosis{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-28796950 |title=Drugs Minister Norman Baker calls for pain-relief cannabis to be legal |work=BBC News |date=15 August 2014 |access-date=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107052418/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-28796950 |archive-date=7 November 2014 |url-status=live }} and that all options regarding legal highs were under consideration.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27235469 |title=Minister 'open-minded' on legal high solutions |publisher=BBC |work=BBC News |date=1 May 2014 |access-date=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509110308/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27235469 |archive-date=9 May 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/asia-travel/india/sell-danger-drugs-on-the-high-street-says-minister-fjvflv0l59n |title=Sell danger drugs on the high street, says minister |newspaper=The Times |date=28 February 2014 |access-date=18 August 2014 |last1=Ford |first1=Richard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084533/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/politics/article4018681.ece |archive-date=19 August 2014 |url-status=live }} The Home Office repeatedly rejected progressive suggestions.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26383774 |title=Home Office rules out licensing of 'legal highs' shops |publisher=BBC |work=BBC News |date=28 February 2014 |access-date=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829060342/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26383774 |archive-date=29 August 2014 |url-status=live }}

In December 2013, it was reported that Baker had encouraged the Director of Public Prosecutions to reopen or reconsider six cases involving female genital mutilation, as forbidden by the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10513427/FGM-Female-Genital-Mutilation-Britains-first-ever-criminal-charges-could-be-brought-as-cases-reopened.html |title=FGM Female Genital Mutilation: Britain's first ever criminal charges could be brought as cases reopened - Telegraph |date=12 December 2013 |work=Telegraph.co.uk |location=London |first=David |last=Barrett |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204122217/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10513427/FGM-Female-Genital-Mutilation-Britains-first-ever-criminal-charges-could-be-brought-as-cases-reopened.html |archive-date=4 February 2019 |url-status=live }} Although this law had been on the books since 1985, there had been no prosecutions under it until February 2014, when it was announced that the first was scheduled soon thereafter.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jennymccartney/100258459/fgm-170000-uk-victims-of-this-sickening-procedure-yet-no-prosecution-until-now-why/ |title=FGM: 170,000 UK victims of this sickening procedure, yet no prosecution until now. Why? |work=News - Telegraph Blogs |location=London |date=6 February 2014 |access-date=9 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102747/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jennymccartney/100258459/fgm-170000-uk-victims-of-this-sickening-procedure-yet-no-prosecution-until-now-why/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }} The Daily Telegraph estimated that, up to that point, 170,000 women had been subject to the assault. A doctor was the first person charged with an offence contrary to the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 in March 2014.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10713683/Doctor-becomes-first-person-in-Britain-charged-with-performing-a-Female-Genital-Mutilation-procedure.html |title=Doctor becomes first person in Britain charged with performing a Female Genital Mutilation procedure |date=21 March 2014 |work=Telegraph.co.uk |location=London |first=Martin |last=Evans |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905105654/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10713683/Doctor-becomes-first-person-in-Britain-charged-with-performing-a-Female-Genital-Mutilation-procedure.html |archive-date=5 September 2017 |url-status=live }}

He was appointed a member of the Privy Council in 2014,{{Cite web|url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/privy-council/privy-council-members/|title=Privy Council members|website=Privy Council|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621160241/https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/privy-council/privy-council-members/|archive-date=21 June 2019|url-status=live}} giving him the right to the Honorific Title "The Right Honourable" for life.

Baker resigned from the Home Office on 3 November 2014, citing conflicts with Home Secretary Theresa May.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29891132 |title=Norman Baker quits as Home Office minister |work=BBC News |date=4 November 2014 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107052535/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29891132 |archive-date=7 November 2014 |url-status=live }} On the same day, he described being the only Liberal Democrat in the Home Office as like being "a hippy at an Iron Maiden concert".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/nov/03/norman-baker-resigns-home-office-minister |title=Norman Baker resigns as Home Office minister with parting shot at May |author=Nicholas Watt |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 November 2014 |access-date=15 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129104632/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/nov/03/norman-baker-resigns-home-office-minister |archive-date=29 January 2017 |url-status=live }}

On two occasions in the run-up to the election, the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg visited the towns of Seaford, Lewes and Newhaven (which are within the Lewes constituency) with Baker.{{cite web |url=http://www.evaclite.com/norman-baker-visits-evaclite/4584355909 |title=Norman Baker Visits EvacLite - EvacLite |website=www.evaclite.com |access-date=21 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524154318/http://www.evaclite.com/norman-baker-visits-evaclite/4584355909 |archive-date=24 May 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.tatesgardencentres.co.uk/index.php/charity-and-community/362-nick-clegg-visits-paradise-park |title=Nick Clegg Visits Paradise Park - Tates of Sussex |access-date=21 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524154426/http://www.tatesgardencentres.co.uk/index.php/charity-and-community/362-nick-clegg-visits-paradise-park |archive-date=24 May 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/county-news/delight-about-easyart-being-based-in-newhaven-1-6021773 |title=Delight about Easyart being based in Newhaven |website=www.sussexexpress.co.uk |access-date=21 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524154734/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/county-news/delight-about-easyart-being-based-in-newhaven-1-6021773 |archive-date=24 May 2015 |url-status=live }} At the election Baker's majority of over 7,000 was overturned by the Conservative candidate Maria Caulfield, a nurse who beat him by 1,083 votes.{{cite news |title=Election 2015: Lewes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000786 |work=BBC News |access-date=8 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508050038/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000786 |archive-date=8 May 2015 |url-status=live }}

{{Election box begin |

|title=General election 2015: Lewes

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Maria Caulfield{{cite web |url=http://electionresults.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/lewes-2015.html |title=LEWES 2015 |website=electionresults.blogspot.co.uk |access-date=21 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223024846/http://electionresults.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/lewes-2015.html |archive-date=23 February 2015 |url-status=live }}

|votes = 19,206

|percentage = 38.0

|change = +1.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Norman Baker

|votes = 18,123

|percentage = 35.9

|change = -16.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = UKIP

|candidate = Ray Finch{{cite web |url=http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/2015guide/lewes/ |title=UK Polling Report |website=ukpollingreport.co.uk |access-date=21 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513110803/http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/2015guide/lewes/ |archive-date=13 May 2015 |url-status=live }}

|votes = 5,427

|percentage = 10.7

|change = +7.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Lloyd Russell-Moyle

|votes = 5,000

|percentage = 9.9

|change = +4.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Alfie Stirling

|votes = 2,784

|percentage = 5.5

|change = +4.1

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 1,083

|percentage = 2.1

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 50,540

|percentage = 72.7

|change = -0.2

}}

{{Election box end}}

In 2015, Baker, a keen music enthusiast, re-formed his old band The Reform Club, which announced that it would be releasing an album of 15 original songs on 25 March. Baker is the chief lyricist with music written by Mike Phipps. The band also includes Geoff Smith on bass and vocals, Chris Dartnell on drums and vocals, Mike Phipps on guitars, keyboards and vocals, Brian Wiseman on lead guitar and vocals, with Maxwell Gardner on guitar for live appearances. A second album, Never yesterday, is awaiting release.{{cite web |url=http://www.thereformclub.net/ |title=The Reform Club |access-date=12 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920225534/http://www.thereformclub.net/ |archive-date=20 September 2015 |url-status=live }} As Norman Baker and Friends, he released a four-track EP, Animal Countdown, in March 2015, which highlights the plight of endangered species.{{cite web |url=http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/county-news/new-ep-launched-by-norman-baker-in-lewes-1-6618797/ |title=New EP launched by Norman Baker in Lewes |access-date=23 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312141214/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/county-news/new-ep-launched-by-norman-baker-in-lewes-1-6618797 |archive-date=12 March 2015 |url-status=live }} He also presents two radio shows on the local community radio station{{cite web |url=http://www.seahavenfm.com/ |title=Seahaven FM |access-date=26 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810165045/http://www.seahavenfm.com/ |archive-date=10 August 2016 |url-status=live }} Seahaven FM, The Hidden 60s on Monday evenings and Anything Goes on Sunday mornings.

Baker's political memoir Against The Grain was published on 18 September 2015. In an interview with The Independent newspaper on 11 August he said he had no intention of seeking election again.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/norman-baker-former-minister-says-the-uk-is-becoming-a-oneparty-state-10449133.html|title=Norman Baker: Former minister says the UK is becoming a 'one-party state'|website=Independent.co.uk |date=11 August 2015|access-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925171626/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/norman-baker-former-minister-says-the-uk-is-becoming-a-oneparty-state-10449133.html|archive-date=25 September 2015|url-status=live}}

Baker was the managing director of The Big Lemon, a bus operator based in Brighton, from March 2017 to January 2018.{{cite web |url=https://thebiglemon.com/2017/03/17/norman-baker-joins-the-big-lemon-as-managing-director-for-brighton-and-hove/ |title=Norman Baker joins The Big Lemon as Managing Director for Brighton and Hove |publisher=The Big Lemon |access-date=11 June 2017 |date=17 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318030306/https://thebiglemon.com/2017/03/17/norman-baker-joins-the-big-lemon-as-managing-director-for-brighton-and-hove/ |archive-date=18 March 2017 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Norman Baker says goodbye to The Big Lemon |url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/norman-baker-says-goodbye-to-the-big-lemon-1057358 |access-date=4 February 2023 |publisher=Sussex Express |date=8 June 2018}}

On 15 October 2019, Baker’s book, ... And What Do You Do?: What The Royal Family Don't Want You To Know, which critically examined the Royal Family's privileged status in public life, was released by Biteback Publishing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/and-what-do-you-do|title=... And What Do You Do?|website=www.bitebackpublishing.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-19}}

On 10 September 2022, Baker attended the Accession Council for the Proclamation of King Charles III at St James's Palace, London.{{cite web |title=Attendees at the Accession Council |url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-09-10-List-of-those-present-for-the-Accession-Council.pdf |website=Privy Council |access-date=17 May 2023}}

• {{cite book |title=The Strange Death of David Kelly |first=Norman |last=Baker |publisher=Methuen |date=8 October 2007 |isbn=978-1-84275-217-3}}
• {{cite book |title=Against the Grain |first=Norman |last=Baker |publisher=Biteback |date=18 September 2015|isbn=978-1-84954-941-7}}
• {{cite book |title=... And What Do You Do?: What The Royal Family Don't Want You To Know |first=Norman |last=Baker |publisher=Biteback |date=15 October 2019 |isbn=978-1-78590-491-2}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Norman Baker}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080915161427/http://www.libdems.org.uk/people/norman-baker Profile] at the Liberal Democrats
• [http://www.leweslibdems.org.uk Lewes Liberal Democrats]
• {{UK MP links |parliament=norman-baker/28 |hansard=mr-norman-baker |hansardcurr=3854 |guardian=199/norman-baker |publicwhip=Norman_Baker |theywork=norman_baker |record=Norman-Baker/Lewes/1073 |bbc=25802.stm |journalisted=norman-baker}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|uk}}

{{s-bef|before=Tim Rathbone}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament for Lewes|years=1997–2015}}

{{s-aft|after=Maria Caulfield}}

{{s-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, Norman}}

Category:1957 births

Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of Royal Holloway, University of London

Category:British republicans

Category:Councillors in East Sussex

Category:Liberal Democrats (UK) MPs for English constituencies

Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom

Category:People educated at the Royal Liberty Grammar School

Category:Politicians from Aberdeen

Category:Tibet freedom activists

Category:UK MPs 1997–2001

Category:UK MPs 2001–2005

Category:UK MPs 2005–2010

Category:UK MPs 2010–2015

Category:Liberal Democrats (UK) councillors

Category:Leaders of local authorities of England