Roger Gale was first elected as the Conservative MP for North Thanet in 1983 being re-elected in 2019 with a majority of 17,189.
The North Thanet constituency is found on the north Kent coast and covers the sandy coastal resorts of Margate, Westgate on Sea, Birchington on Sea, and Herne Bay. The seat contains a high proportion of retired people. The local economy is dominated by tourism, although there is an offshore energy industry here, and a vast indoor greenhouse business called Thanet Earth growing a range of produce from tomatoes to cucumbers. The now disused Manston airport site sits within this constituency. Although the majority was reduced to 2,766 in the Labour landslide year of 1997, this constituency is pretty safe territory for the Conservative Party. A high 65% of voters here backed Brexit in the 2016 EU referendum.
Roger Gale was born in 1943 and was educated at Southbourne Preparatory School, Hardye’s School, Dorchester and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Before becoming an MP, he worked as a television producer and editor at both the BBC and Thames Television. He was also a freelance radio journalist. He has business experience both in the film industry and in market research.
Gale has been an outspoken critic of Boris Johnson, both before and after his election as Conservative Party Leader. Unsurprisingly he backed Jeremy Hunt in the 2019 Conservative Party leadership election.
Gale supported Remain in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Roger Gales is now one of Parliament’s oldest and longest serving MPs. He is a supporter of animal welfare, and he is an honorary life member of The League Against Cruel Sports.
Gale is married and has three children. He employs his wife as his Office Manager.
Gale once served as a Special Constable with the British Transport Police. He is Leader of the United Kingdom Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
Roger Gale is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Frozen British Pensions; and Cyprus. He is Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on the British Council; Deaths Abroad, Consular Services, and Assistance; Dog Advisory welfare; Electric Aviation; Hydrogen; Hospitality and Tourism; Media; and Media Freedom
Email: galerj@parliament.uk
Personal Website: www.rogergale.co.uk
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/north.thanet.roger.gale
