Biography of Tony Cunningham

Tony has been MP for Workington since June 2001. He lives in the constituency with his wife Anne and family.

Born and educated in Workington he was the first person in his family to go to University. After gaining a degree in History and Politics from Liverpool University, he trained to be a teacher.

After teaching first in Alsager, Tony took up a teaching position in 1980 at the Mikunguni Trade School in Zanzibar, Tanzania, as part of the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) programme. Whilst there, kept his interest in sports up by playing first division football in Zanzibar; despite the heat .His work in Zanzibar stimulated an enthusiastic affiliation with Africa that has lasted till the present day.

After Tanzania, he returned to Cumbria to teach history at Netherhall School Maryport.

His first elected political position was in Cumbria as a local councillor for Allerdale district council where he became leader of the council and was Mayor of Workington in 1990. In 1994, he stepped down from both leadership and the council when he was elected as Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Cumbria and Lancashire North.

In 1999 he became Chief Executive of the Human Right organisation Indict where he remained until his election to Parliament.

Tony is keen on all sports particularly rugby union and league, football and cricket. He is a qualified rugby union coach and referee. He has also played for the parliamentary football team.