Robert Largan

Largan was born in Whitefield, Manchester, the son of Terry and Joanna Louise Largan.[1] Largan's father came from a large Irish Catholic family in Salford and had a variety of occupations, including a Shabbos goy, plasterer, postman, and trade union shop steward. His mother left school with no qualifications, caring for her younger sisters following the death of her father, and later worked in the Department of Social Security.[2] Largan attended his local comprehensive, Philips High School, then studied economics and politics at the University of Manchester between 2005 and 2008.[3]

His first job was at the supermarket Asda which he took during his time at university . He later moved to London for work, trained as a chartered accountant amd was hired by Deloitte in 2012, working in equity capital markets until 2017 .

He was working in finance for Marks & Spencer when he gained Conservative MP candidacy in 2018 .

Largan unsuccessfully contested the Bury South constituency for the Conservatives at the June 2017 general election.

Largan applied to be the Conservative Parliamentary Candidiate for Crewe and Nantwich (UK Parliament constituency) in September 2018 but was unsuccessful.

He was later selected as the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for High Peak in October 2018.[4]

In the 2019 United Kingdom general election, Largan was elected as the Member of Parliament for the High Peak constituency on 12 December 2019 with a majority of just 590 . 2019. High Peak was a marginal seat, which had alternated between Labour and Conservative in past elections.

On 2 March 2020, Largan was elected to serve on the Transport Select Committee to scrutinise the Department for Transport. In his role on the committee, he has contributed to inquiries into various issues, including the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation sector and the rollout and safety of smart motorways.[5][6] In July 2021 Largan worked with Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds to extend the controversial Clean Air Zone to Mottram and Hollingworth

Largan gave his maiden speech on 23 March 2020, during an emergency debate on the Coronavirus Bill which introduced a range of new powers to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. He used the speech to call on the Government to urgently provide more support to the self-employed. Largan also promised to take an independent minded approach to politics, said he was "prepared to criticise [his] party and the Government when they get things wrong", and concluded his speech by saying "our greatest reforms—universal suffrage, civil liberties, the NHS—were secured not through ideological purity or confrontation, but by collaboration and taking the view that compromise is not betrayal but a kind of victory." Labour MP, Chris Bryant followed this speech by commending Largan's stance against ideological purity.[2]

In November 2020, he founded the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Peak District and was elected chair, noting a focus on bringing green jobs to the region.[7]

In December 2021, Largan was elected as the chair for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Mining and Quarrying.

Largan is also a member of the Events; Personal Banking and Fairer Financial Services; and Rare, Genetic and Undiagnosed Conditions all-party parliamentary groups.

Largan describes himself as an “independent minded moderate”. He is a member of the One Nation Caucus of Conservative MPs. Asked in an interview why he was a Conservative, Largan responded that they were the “least worst option."[8]

In the 2016 EU membership referendum, Largan voted Remain. In December 2019, Largan voted for the Withdrawal Agreement which allowed the UK to leave the EU on 31 January 2020.[9] In September 2020, Largan voted for the Internal Markets Bill, although he expressed concerns about the impact on the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.[10] Largan voted in favour of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and the EU in December 2020.[11]

Largan has campaigned strongly against antisemitism both locally and nationally, and has pushed for organisations to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.[12]

Largan is also a parliamentary officer of the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFoI). In 2019, he visited Israel and the West Bank as part of a CFoI delegation to engage with politicians, journalists, entrepreneurs, academics, and organisations that promote peaceful coexistence.[13] Largan supports a two-state solution.

During the Coronavirus pandemic he consistently called on the Government to get wage support, grants and loans into the hands of businesses and individuals as fast as possible.[14]

Largan is a member of the Conservative Environmental Network and is a keen advocate for environmental and conservation causes.[15]

Largan has actively campaigned for the restoration of peat moors. His first question in Parliament highlighted the importance of restoring peatlands to reduce fire risk and tackle climate change.[16]

Following two major wildfires in the High Peak caused by disposable barbecues, Largan introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill entitled ‘The Disposable Barbecues Bill’. The Bill, which received cross-party support, proposed banning the use of disposable barbeques on open moorland and giving local authorities the power to regulate (and potentially ban) their sale. In his speech, Largan made the case for protecting our beautiful countryside from wildfires, as well as setting out the importance of moorland restoration and educating people on the Countryside Code.[17]

Largan supports the introduction of safe standing in Premier League and Championship football stadia and has engaged with various football supporters’ clubs to discuss what more can be done can be done nationally to improve the matchday experience of football fans.[18][19]

Largan lives in Glossop with his partner Beth.[1] He is the first High Peak Member of Parliament to live in Glossop since 1929.[20] His hobbies include fell walking and watching football.[21]

• Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
• Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
• Voting record at Public Whip