Roger Godsiff

Roger Godsiff was born in London and educated at Catford Comprehensive School.

He was a bank clerk for five years from 1965, joining the Labour Party in 1966.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/candidates/candidates/0/06104.stm|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} VOTE 2001 {{!}} CANDIDATES|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=8 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040619065535/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/candidates/candidates/0/06104.stm|archive-date=19 June 2004|url-status=live}}

He was a political officer from 1970 with the trade union APEX and then from 1990 with its successor the GMB until his election to Parliament in 1992. During his time as a trade union official, he was a member of the St Ermin's group, a secret caucus of moderate trade unionists who moved the Labour Party back towards the political centre by organising slates for elections to the party's National Executive Committee.{{cite ODNB |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/theme/96690?backToResults=%2Fsearch%2Frefine%2F%3FdocStart=1%26themesTabShow=true |title=St Ermins group (act. 1981-1987) |first=Dianne |last=Hayter |access-date=26 April 2017|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/96690 |year=2004 }}

Elected as a councillor in the London Borough of Lewisham in 1971, he became the Mayor of Lewisham for 1977–78, before quitting the council at the 1990 London Borough elections. He unsuccessfully contested Birmingham Yardley at the 1983 general election, where he finished in second place behind the sitting Conservative MP David Gilroy Bevan. He was elected to the House of Commons for Birmingham Small Heath at the 1992 general election following the retirement of Denis Howell. Godsiff held Small Heath with a majority of 13,989 votes and remained an MP from that point. His constituency was abolished in 1997 and, aided by the retirement of Birmingham Sparkbrook MP Roy Hattersley, Godsiff was elected for the newly combined constituency of Birmingham Sparkbrook and Small Heath at the 1997 general election.

The Sparkbrook and Small Heath seat was abolished at the 2010 election, with its constituent parts moving into neighbouring seats. Godsiff was selected for the redrawn Birmingham Hall Green seat in 2008, which includes some of his existing constituency and wards which were formerly in the two Birmingham constituencies of Hall Green and Selly Oak. He was re-elected at the May 2010 general election with a majority of 3,799.{{cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/general-election-2010|title=Birmingham City Council: General Election 2010|access-date=7 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124063936/http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/general-election-2010|archive-date=24 November 2011|url-status=live}}

In Parliament he was a special adviser to the former Minister of Sport Richard Caborn on cricket and was the chairman of the All Party Japan Group. In October 2006, Godsiff was one of 12 Labour MPs to back Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party's call for an inquiry into the Iraq War.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6104310.stm |title=Labour MPs who rebelled on Iraq |date=31 October 2006 |access-date=31 October 2006 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630013226/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6104310.stm |archive-date=30 June 2009 |url-status=live }} He also rebelled against the government in November 2005 on legislation permitting the detention of terrorist suspects for 90 days without trial.{{cite web |url=http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2005-11-09&number=84 |title=Terrorism Bill – Clause 23 – rebels |date=9 November 2005 |access-date=1 November 2006 |work=Public Whip |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061229123752/http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2005-11-09&number=84 |archive-date=29 December 2006 |url-status=live }}

In January 2005, Godsiff called for economic migration to the UK to be "stopped". He said that economic migration was unnecessary and it posed a danger to race relations within the UK.{{cite news|title=Labour MP wants immigration end|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4223761.stm|access-date=25 March 2015|work=BBC News|date=31 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726224153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4223761.stm|archive-date=26 July 2008|url-status=live}}

In the 2009 parliamentary expenses scandal, Godsiff was reported as using office expenses for extensive roofing work, rewiring, replacement guttering and even clock repair at a property he owns.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/cabinet-expenses/5413037/Roger-Godsiff-Claimed-for-bath-mats-and-property-repairs-on-MPs-expenses.html |title=Roger Godsiff: Claimed for bath mats and property repairs on MPs' expenses |date=31 May 2009 |access-date=19 April 2010 |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Alastair |last=Jamieson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605154434/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/cabinet-expenses/5413037/Roger-Godsiff-Claimed-for-bath-mats-and-property-repairs-on-MPs-expenses.html |archive-date=5 June 2010 |url-status=live }} He incurred the second highest expenses of all 647 MPs' for 2008/2009 with claims for £189,338.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/cabinet-expenses/5413037/Roger-Godsiff-Claimed-for-bath-mats-and-property-repairs-on-MPs-expenses.html|title=Roger Godsiff: Claimed for bath mats and property repairs on MPs' expenses|last=Jamieson|first=Alastair|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=31 May 2009|access-date=21 May 2019|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603085200/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/cabinet-expenses/5413037/Roger-Godsiff-Claimed-for-bath-mats-and-property-repairs-on-MPs-expenses.html|archive-date=3 June 2019|url-status=live}}

Andy McSmith's book Faces of Labour (1996), contends that Godsiff obtained selection for his seat in 1992 by dubious means which, although accepted by the Labour Party, were too late to act upon. In 2005, Tribune made similar allegations about his successful bid to stave off deselection, which was only thwarted by the local votes of his former employer, the GMB Union. Godsiff had angered many in his local party by his calls for curbs on immigration.

During the 2010 general election campaign, Godsiff issued leaflets suggesting the Liberal Democrats were in favour of "convicted murderers, rapists and paedophiles to be given the vote", which the Lib Dems denied was their policy. The leaflets contained images of various high-profile criminals, including child sex offender and nursery worker Vanessa George and serial killer Steven Wright. Labour's general secretary Ray Collins said the leaflet was not approved at a national level and the local campaign was later scrapped.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8630001.stm|work=BBC News|title=Row over paedophile vote leaflet|date=19 April 2010}}

In 2011, The Guardian declared that, based on his participation in votes, Godsiff was "Britain's laziest MP", being absent from 88% of votes at the start of that year. He had attended less than 50% of parliamentary debates during his whole time in office and refused to take any part in hustings meetings.{{cite web|url=http://www.epolitix.com/mpwebsites/mppressreleases/mppressreleasedetails/newsarticle/hustings-dr-atkinson///mpsite/roger-godsiff/|title=PoliticsHome.com|website=PoliticsHome.com}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019}} He responded to the Birmingham Mail about his participation, saying, "when you are in opposition and the government has a substantial majority, you know perfectly well that you aren't going to be able to have an effect on every vote".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/reality-check-with-polly-curtis/2011/sep/08/reality-check-britain-s-laziest-mp|title=Reality check: Who are Britain's laziest parliamentarians?|last=Curtis|first=Polly|date=8 September 2011|work=The Guardian|access-date=6 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118222430/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/reality-check-with-polly-curtis/2011/sep/08/reality-check-britain-s-laziest-mp|archive-date=18 November 2017|url-status=live}}

In May 2013, Godsiff voted against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 final reading,{{Cite web |title=The Public Whip — Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill — Third Reading - 21 May 2013 at 18:59 |url=https://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2013-05-21&number=11&display=allpossible&sort=vote |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=www.publicwhip.org.uk}} opposing the legalisation of same-sex marriage within England and Wales. Godsiff advised he opposed the "redefining the current definition of marriage."{{cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/05/21/joe-lycett-responds-labour-mp-criticised-lgbt-education/|title=Joe Lycett responds to Labour MP who criticised LGBT+ education|last=Duffy|first=Nick|date=21 May 2019|work=PinkNews|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521222558/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/05/21/joe-lycett-responds-labour-mp-criticised-lgbt-education/|archive-date=21 May 2019|url-status=live}}

Godsiff was one of seven signatories in 2014 of an open letter to Ed Miliband calling upon him to commit to restricting the ability of workers from low income EU countries to move to the UK.{{cite news|title=Labour MPs urge leadership to curb free movement within EU|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/01/labour-mps-urge-curb-eu-free-movement-open-letter-ed-miliband|access-date=25 March 2015|work=Observer|date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402071201/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/01/labour-mps-urge-curb-eu-free-movement-open-letter-ed-miliband|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}

In the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, Godsiff supported the Leave campaign,{{Cite news|url=http://www.rogergodsiffmp.co.uk/archives/id927.php|title=Roger's views on the EU referendum|work=Roger Godsiff MP|access-date=6 May 2017|language=en}} although his constituency voted by 66.4% to remain in the European Union.{{Cite news|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/eu-referendum-results-birmingham-leave-11537284|title=Birmingham Leave MPs' constituencies voted Remain|last=Brown|first=Graeme|date=28 June 2016|work=birminghammail|access-date=6 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406205614/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/eu-referendum-results-birmingham-leave-11537284|archive-date=6 April 2017|url-status=live}} Unusually for a pro-Brexit MP, he abstained from the vote to invoke Article 50, which would commence the UK's process of withdrawal from the EU, on the grounds that he was respecting his constituents' pro-Remain vote.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

Godsiff supported Owen Smith in the latter's failed attempt to replace Jeremy Corbyn in the 2016 Labour leadership election.{{Cite web|url=https://labourlist.org/2016/07/which-mps-and-meps-have-nominated-owen-smith/|title=Full list of MPs and MEPs backing challenger Owen Smith|date=21 July 2016|website=LabourList|language=en-GB|access-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715214543/https://labourlist.org/2016/07/which-mps-and-meps-have-nominated-owen-smith/|archive-date=15 July 2019|url-status=live}}

During the 2017 election campaign, his local campaign leaflet went viral in the UK due to its slogan "unwanted, unnecessary, opportunistic", which was supposed to be about the snap election called by Theresa May, but appeared, due to the format, to be referring to Godsiff himself.{{Cite news|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/election-candidate-roger-godsiff-produced-13036092|title=Election candidate Roger Godsiff's leaflet attacking himself|last=Walker|first=Jonathan|date=15 May 2017|work=birminghammail|access-date=10 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516193542/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/election-candidate-roger-godsiff-produced-13036092|archive-date=16 May 2017|url-status=live}} At the election he gained 42,143 votes (77.6%), giving him a majority of 33,944 (62.5%), which was the twelfth largest majority of any UK MP by percentage of constituency vote.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies|title=Constituencies A-Z - Election 2017|website=BBC News|access-date=10 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517033039/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies|archive-date=17 May 2015|url-status=live}}

In May 2019, in the wake of protests in Birmingham over LGBT-inclusive education in primary schools, Godsiff sided with the protestors: "I have concerns about the age appropriateness of children of four and five being introduced to these ideas", he said, later admitting that he had not read the books. Anderton Park Primary School in Sparkhill, which has been at the centre of the row, is in Godsiff's former constituency. He defended his voting record on equality legislation, stating, "I am supportive of the LGBT community. I have consistently voted for all laws pertaining to equality and to defend the rights of everyone to live the lifestyle they choose."{{cite news|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/anderton-park-school-protests-mp-16307296|title=MP says four and five year olds 'too young' for LGBT teaching|last=Haynes|first=Jane|date=21 May 2019|website=Birmingham Mail|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524194219/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/anderton-park-school-protests-mp-16307296|archive-date=24 May 2019|url-status=live}}

In October 2019, Labour Party members in all four branches of his Hall Green constituency opted to trigger a re-selection process to choose the Labour candidate at the next general election. As a sitting Member of Parliament, Godsiff was automatically entitled to be shortlisted as a potential candidate. Godsiff had indicated that he intended to stand for re-selection.{{Cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/mp-roger-godsiff-vows-fight-17049643|title=MP Roger Godsiff fights on in battle to remain Labour candidate|last=Walker|first=Jonathan|date=8 October 2019|website=birminghammail|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013000909/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/mp-roger-godsiff-vows-fight-17049643|archive-date=13 October 2019|access-date=13 October 2019}} However, the process was paused due to the election being called that month, resulting in the decision being made by the NEC to not endorse Godsiff and select a new candidate with a local panel.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

He stood as an Independent at the 2019 general election and came third. He was succeeded in the seat by Tahir Ali.

Godsiff has been married to Julia Brenda Morris since 1977 and they have a son and a daughter.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/candidates/candidates/0/06104.stm|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} VOTE 2001 {{!}} CANDIDATES|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=10 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040619065535/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/candidates/candidates/0/06104.stm|archive-date=19 June 2004|url-status=live}}

He is a lifelong supporter of Charlton Athletic F.C.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/cabinet-expenses/5413037/Roger-Godsiff-Claimed-for-bath-mats-and-property-repairs-on-MPs-expenses.html|title=Roger Godsiff: Claimed for bath mats and property repairs on MPs' expenses|last=Jamieson|first=Alastair|date=31 May 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=10 September 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203052004/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/cabinet-expenses/5413037/Roger-Godsiff-Claimed-for-bath-mats-and-property-repairs-on-MPs-expenses.html|archive-date=3 December 2017|url-status=live}} He was previously the chairman of the Charlton Athletic Community Trust, which oversees the club's community work. He resigned from this position on 26 June 2019 following the controversy surrounding his support for the anti-LGBT protesters in Birmingham.{{Cite web|url=https://cact.org.uk/news/a-statement-from-charlton-athletic-community-trust|title=A statement from Charlton Athletic Community Trust|website=cact.org.uk|access-date=10 September 2019}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{UK MP links | parliament = mr-roger-godsiff/304 | hansardcurr = 3471 | hansard = mr-roger-godsiff | publicwhip = Roger_Godsiff | theywork = roger_godsiff }}
• [http://politics.guardian.co.uk/person/0,9290,-1957,00.html Guardian Unlimited Politics – Ask Aristotle: Roger Godsiff MP]
• {{C-SPAN|1000855}}

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{{s-par|uk}}

{{s-bef|before=Denis Howell}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament for Birmingham Small Heath|years=1992–1997}}

{{s-non|reason=Constituency abolished}}

{{s-new|constituency}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament for Birmingham Sparkbrook and Small Heath|years=1997–2010}}

{{s-non|reason=Constituency abolished}}

{{s-bef|before=Steve McCabe}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament for Birmingham Hall Green|years=2010–2019}}

{{s-aft|after=Tahir Ali}}

{{s-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Godsiff, Roger}}

Category:1946 births

Category:Living people

Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies

Category:Councillors in the London Borough of Lewisham

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