British politician
William Roffen Esterson[2] (born 27 October )[3] is a British Labour Party politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Sefton Central since He was Shadow Minister for Roads from to ,[4] and was Shadow Minister for Small Business from to
William Esterson was born on 27 October He attended Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School in Rochester, Kent.[5] He holds a joint degree in Mathematics and Philosophy from the University of Leeds. After graduation, Esterson trained with an accountancy firm and subsequently became director of a training consultancy.[6]
Prior to his election as an MP, Esterson was a councillor for River Ward in Medway.[7] When Medway Council was created in , Esterson was elected to represent Town Ward. He represented Town Ward until , when boundary changes were implemented. He was a councillor for St Margaret's and Borstal ward on Rochester-upon-Medway City Council which was dissolved to form Medway Council.[8] During his time as a councillor, Esterson served on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Education; Community and Local Government; and Treasury Select Committees.[9]
At the general election, Esterson was elected to Parliament as MP for Sefton Central with % of the vote and a majority of 3,[10]
Esterson contributed to the Hillsborough debate in the House of Commons on 17 October by reading directly the words of a bereaved father. In September he contributed to the book What next for Labour? Ideas for a new generation. His chapter was entitled A Campaigning Party.[11]
In January , Esterson proposed a bill which would introduce compulsory labelling of alcoholic drinks warning about potential dangers from drinking during pregnancy.[12]
At the general election, Esterson was re-elected as MP for Sefton Central with an increased vote share of % and an increased majority of 11,[13][14]
He was made Shadow Minister for Small Business following Jeremy Corbyn's election as Leader of the Labour Party in September [15] However, he supported Owen Smith in the failed attempt to replace Corbyn in the leadership election.[16] In October , he was made Shadow Minister for International Trade.[9]
Esterson was again re-elected at the snap general election with an increased vote share of 63% and an increased majority of 15,[17] At the general election, Esterson was again re-elected, with a decreased vote share of % and a decreased majority of 15,[18][19]
Esterson endorsed Keir Starmer in the Labour Party leadership election.[20] After Starmer's victory in the contest, Esterson was sacked as Shadow Small Business Minister, but reappointed as Shadow International Trade Minister.[9] He became Shadow Minister for Business and Industry as part of Starmer's shadow cabinet reshuffle.[21]
In the British shadow cabinet reshuffle, he became Shadow Minister for Roads.[4]
At the general election, Esterson was again re-elected, with a decreased vote share of % and an increased majority of 18,[22]
In November , Esterson voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes to legalise assisted suicide.[23]
Esterson is married with two children.[6]