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{{Short description|British Labour politician}} {{Short description|British Labour politician}}
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'''Natascha Engel''' (born 9 April 1967)<ref name="politics.co.uk">{{cite web |title=Natascha Engel: Biography |url=http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/natascha-engel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328215008/https://www.politics.co.uk/reference/natascha-engel |archive-date=28 March 2019 |access-date=4 July 2017 |work=Politics}}</ref> is a British former politician. She served as ] ] (MP) for ] from ] until her defeat at the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.desmog.uk/2017/06/08/what-does-hung-parliament-mean-energy-and-climate-change-issues|date=9 June 2017|title=What Does a Hung Parliament Mean for Energy and Climate Change Issues?|author1=Kyla Mandel|author2=Mat Hope}}</ref> '''Natascha Engel''' (born 9 April 1967)<ref name="politics.co.uk">{{cite web |title=Natascha Engel: Biography |url=http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/natascha-engel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328215008/https://www.politics.co.uk/reference/natascha-engel |archive-date=28 March 2019 |access-date=4 July 2017 |work=Politics}}</ref> is a British former politician. She served as ] ] (MP) for ] from ] until her defeat at the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.desmog.uk/2017/06/08/what-does-hung-parliament-mean-energy-and-climate-change-issues|date=9 June 2017|title=What Does a Hung Parliament Mean for Energy and Climate Change Issues?|author1=Kyla Mandel|author2=Mat Hope}}</ref>


During her time in Parliament, Engel was Deputy ] (]. She established and was the inaugural chair of the ] (2010-2015) for which she was awarded Parliamentarian of the Year in 2013 by the ]<ref name="edin">{{cite web|url=http://www.aog.ed.ac.uk/news_and_events/news/2013/director_presents_awards_at_psa_ceremony|title=Director presents Awards at PSA Ceremony|work=University of Edinburgh Academy of Government|access-date=18 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219025513/http://www.aog.ed.ac.uk/news_and_events/news/2013/director_presents_awards_at_psa_ceremony|archive-date=19 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Spectator's Backbencher of the Year in 2015<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Fraser |date=2015-11-05 |title=Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year 2015: the winners |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-parliamentarian-of-the-year-2015-the-winners/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=The Spectator |language=en-US}}</ref>. During her final two years in Parliament, Engel was Deputy ] (]). She established and was the inaugural chair of the ] (2010–2015) for which she was awarded Parliamentarian of the Year in 2013 by the ]<ref name="edin">{{cite web|url=http://www.aog.ed.ac.uk/news_and_events/news/2013/director_presents_awards_at_psa_ceremony|title=Director presents Awards at PSA Ceremony|work=University of Edinburgh Academy of Government|access-date=18 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219025513/http://www.aog.ed.ac.uk/news_and_events/news/2013/director_presents_awards_at_psa_ceremony|archive-date=19 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Spectator's Backbencher of the Year in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Fraser |date=2015-11-05 |title=Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year 2015: the winners |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-parliamentarian-of-the-year-2015-the-winners/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=The Spectator |language=en-US}}</ref>


Engel is now CEO of cross-party policy and research institute, . Engel is now CEO of cross-party policy and research institute, Palace Yard.


== Early life and education == == Early life and education ==
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After her election in 2005, Engel was appointed to the ]. After her election in 2005, Engel was appointed to the ].


She served as ] to ] when he was Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. She performed the same role for ] in 2008 when he was at the Cabinet Office, and then for ] when he was ] in 2009. She served as ] to ] when he was Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. She performed the same role for ] in 2008 when he was at the Cabinet Office, and then for ] when he was ] in 2009.


In July 2009, she was elected to the Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons<ref name="RHCC">{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/reform_committee.cfm |title=Reform of the House of Commons Committee |publisher=UK Parliament |access-date=19 February 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308133249/http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/reform_committee.cfm |archive-date= 8 March 2010 }}</ref>, chaired by ]. In July 2009, she was elected to the Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons,<ref name="RHCC">{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/reform_committee.cfm |title=Reform of the House of Commons Committee |publisher=UK Parliament |access-date=19 February 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308133249/http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/reform_committee.cfm |archive-date= 8 March 2010 }}</ref> chaired by ].


On 15 June 2010, the House of Commons voted to create a ], and one week later, Engel defeated Sir ] 202 to 173 in a secret ballot of MPs to become its first chair.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/backbench-business/BBBC-Chair-Results.pdf |title=Election for Chair of Backbench Business Committee—Result |work=House of Commons |access-date=22 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013193447/http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/backbench-business/BBBC-Chair-Results.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 6 July 2011 she was named "Backbencher of the Year" for her work with the committee.<ref name="bboftheyear">{{Cite news On 15 June 2010, the House of Commons voted to create a ], and one week later, Engel defeated Sir ] 202 to 173 in a secret ballot of MPs to become its first chair.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/backbench-business/BBBC-Chair-Results.pdf |title=Election for Chair of Backbench Business Committee—Result |work=House of Commons |access-date=22 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013193447/http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/backbench-business/BBBC-Chair-Results.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 6 July 2011 she was named "Backbencher of the Year" for her work with the committee.<ref name="bboftheyear">{{Cite news
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}}</ref> }}</ref>


Engel's role was to allocate roughly one day a week parliamentary debating time between competing backbenchers by a process described by ] as akin to '']''.<ref name="Elliott">{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Amber |date=21 April 2012 |title=Engel: 'The last two years have been hell on earth' |work=Total Politics |url=https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/interview/engel-%E2%80%98-last-two-years-have-been-hell-earth%E2%80%99 |url-status=live |access-date=4 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711132328/http://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/interview/engel-%E2%80%98-last-two-years-have-been-hell-earth%E2%80%99 |archive-date=11 July 2019}}</ref> She expressed pride in the committee, which is "a powerful check on the executive".<ref name="Elliott"/> Debates are allowed on any topic and, unless they are against party policy, the ] don't interfere.<ref name="Elliott"/> The most contentious debate was on the EU referendum<ref name="Elliott"/> held on 24 October 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15425256|title=EU referendum: Rebels lose vote in Commons|work=BBC News|date=25 October 2011|access-date=2 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608161905/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15425256|archive-date=8 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Engel was re-elected, unopposed, to the chair of the committee May 2012.<ref name="reelectbbbc2012">{{cite web Engel's role was to allocate roughly one day a week parliamentary debating time between competing backbenchers by a process described by ] as akin to '']''.<ref name="Elliott">{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Amber |date=21 April 2012 |title=Engel: 'The last two years have been hell on earth' |work=Total Politics |url=https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/interview/engel-%E2%80%98-last-two-years-have-been-hell-earth%E2%80%99 |url-status=live |access-date=4 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711132328/http://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/interview/engel-%E2%80%98-last-two-years-have-been-hell-earth%E2%80%99 |archive-date=11 July 2019}}</ref> She expressed pride in the committee, which is "a powerful check on the executive".<ref name="Elliott"/> Debates are allowed on any topic and, unless they are against party policy, the ] don't interfere.<ref name="Elliott"/> The most contentious debate was on the EU referendum<ref name="Elliott"/> held on 24 October 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15425256|title=EU referendum: Rebels lose vote in Commons|publisher=BBC News|date=25 October 2011|access-date=2 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608161905/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15425256|archive-date=8 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Engel was re-elected, unopposed, to the chair of the committee May 2012.<ref name="reelectbbbc2012">{{cite web
| title = Natascha Engel Elected Chair of the Backbench Business Committee | title = Natascha Engel Elected Chair of the Backbench Business Committee
| work = House of Commons | work = House of Commons
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}}</ref> }}</ref>


After the ], Engel was elected unopposed to be Deputy Speaker (Second Chairman of Ways and Means) under ]'s speakership. Alongside her fellow Deputies, Rt Hon ] and Dame ], Engel never said how she voted in the 2016 EU referendum knowing that she would later have to chair debates on the subject.
=== Middle East and defence ===
Although Engel "occasionally" rebelled against the Labour party whip, she voted "very strongly" against an ] and also voted "very strongly" for replacing ].<ref name=tw4y>{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/11534/natascha_engel/north_east_derbyshire|title=Natascha Engel:Labour MP for North East Derbyshire|work=TheyWorkForYou.com|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228190331/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/11534/natascha_engel/north_east_derbyshire|archive-date=28 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== National politics ===
In February 2007, Engel introduced a ] Bill which proposed to require doctors to supply free ]s at their surgeries, noting that the Bill had the support of the ], ], ], and the ].<ref name="CONDOMS">'' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202113347/https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070206/debtext/70206-0003.htm#07020651000002 |date=2 February 2017 }}'', 6 February 2007, vol 456 cols 711-3.</ref> She took a period of maternity leave from December 2007.<ref name="MATL">{{cite news|last=Ivers|first=Jennifer|url=http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/features/MP-Natascha-looks-to-the.3415445.jp|title=MP Natascha looks to the future|work=Derbyshire Times|date=25 October 2007|access-date=20 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701040923/http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/features/MP-Natascha-looks-to-the.3415445.jp|archive-date=1 July 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Engel was one of the fifteen MPs to formally nominate ] as the new ] in the ] in June 2009.<ref name="SPKRNOM">{{cite web|url=http://www.johnbercow.co.uk/22062009_speaker_nomination|title=Speaker nominees|website=John Bercow|date=22 June 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626005457/http://www.johnbercow.co.uk/22062009_speaker_nomination|archive-date=26 June 2009}}</ref> She became chair of the All-Party Insolvency Group in 2009.<ref name="CIG">{{cite web |url=http://www.beatmydebt.com/news-articles/news20090716-6.htm |title=Insolvency Group |website=Beat My Debt |access-date=19 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219061947/http://www.beatmydebt.com/news-articles/news20090716-6.htm |archive-date=19 February 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Engel collaborated on a chapter in the ] book ''Politics for a New Generation'' in 2007 which was titled "Moving on up: Progression in the Labour Market".<ref name="Moving on up">{{cite book|author-last1=Engel|author-first1=Natascha|author-last2=Sodha|author-first2=Sonia |author-link2=Sonia Sodha|author-last3=Johnson|author-first3=Mike|chapter=Moving on up: Progression in the Labour Market|pages=191–214|editor-last1=Pearce|editor-first1=Nick|editor-last2=Margo|editor-first2=Julia|chapter-url=http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?is=023052494X|title=Politics for a New Generation: The Progressive Moment|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|year=2007|isbn=978-0-230-52493-4}}</ref> In October 2008, Engel called for Labour MPs to be given a free vote on the issue of banning smacking of children, complaining that she was put in an "impossible position of choosing between party loyalty and a reform that we believe in passionately".<ref name="Smacking ban">Emily Garnham, " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405161202/http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/65147/Labour-backbenchers-push-for-outright-smacking-ban-Labour |date=5 April 2012 }}, ''Daily Express'', 8 October 2008.</ref>


=== Youth campaigns === === Youth campaigns ===
] ]
Engel represents the Labour Party on the Board of Trustees of the ] and has worked to encourage young people to participate in democracy. With her local council she set up a 'Question Time' event for local pupils to question a panel including then-cabinet member ] and the leader of the council.<ref name="YDEMO"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106180701/http://www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/community-living/local-democracy-week/question-time |date=6 January 2009 }} North-East Derbyshire District Council</ref> In December 2007, she was a sponsor of a ] introduced by ] which would have reduced the voting age to 16.<ref name="VA16"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001165409/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm071205/debtext/71205-0008.htm |date=1 October 2017 }}, ''Hansard'', 5 December 2007 : Column 855</ref> Engel became chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/memi582.htm|title=Page cannot be found|website=UK Parliament|access-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001165446/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/memi582.htm|archive-date=1 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="YAG">{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ].</ref> In a ] survey of some Labour MPs in Autumn 2007, Engel's suggestion for the next Labour general election manifesto was for sex and relationship education to be compulsory in all schools and taught by a professional.<ref name="YSEX">" {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828002307/http://fabians.org.uk/publications/extracts/dear-ed-manifesto-suggestions |date=28 August 2008 }}", ''Fabian Review'', Autumn 2007.</ref> Engel was on the Board of Trustees of the ] and has worked to encourage young people to participate in democracy. Engel became chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/memi582.htm|title=Page cannot be found|website=UK Parliament|access-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001165446/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/memi582.htm|archive-date=1 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="YAG">{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ].</ref> At the ePolitix Charity Champion awards in November 2007, Engel was named "Children and Youth Champion" for her work.<ref name="UKPA">{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 28 November 2007.</ref><ref name="DT">''Derbyshire Times'', 13 December 2007</ref> At the 2007–08 annual general meeting of the ], she was chosen as an Honorary President of the council.<ref name="BYC"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501161350/http://www.byc.org.uk/view.php?parent_id=257&content_id=267 |date=1 May 2009 }}.</ref>


=== Expenses ===
At the ePolitix Charity Champion awards in November 2007, Engel was named "Children and Youth Champion" for her work.<ref name="UKPA">, 28 November 2007.</ref><ref name="DT">''Derbyshire Times'', 13 December 2007</ref> At the 2007–08 annual general meeting of the ], she was chosen as an Honorary President of the council.<ref name="BYC"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501161350/http://www.byc.org.uk/view.php?parent_id=257&content_id=267 |date=1 May 2009 }}.</ref>
The ''Legg Report''<ref name="leg">{{cite web|date=4 February 2010|title=Review of past ACA payments|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmmemest/348/348.pdf|publisher=House of Commons Members Estimate Committee|access-date=5 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214183244/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmmemest/348/348.pdf|archive-date=14 February 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> showed that 343 MPs had been asked to repay money, including several from Derbyshire.<ref name="Legg">{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/MPs-told-repay-thousands-expenses-row/article-1418008-detail/article.html|title=MPs told they should repay thousands in expenses row|work=Derby Telegraph|date=14 October 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505065442/http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/MPs-told-repay-thousands-expenses-row/article-1418008-detail/article.html|archive-date=5 May 2013}}</ref> Engel repaid £1,934 of which she said £1,339 was a mortgage claim the Fees office paid twice which she repaid immediately whilst £595 was a refund of a house rental deposit.<ref name="Legg" />

=== Expenses scandal ===
In May 2009, during the ] the '']'' contacted all the MPs in Derbyshire for their opinion of the issues raised.<ref name="Derby Telegraph survey">{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/damaged-integrity-parliament/story-11560056-detail/story.html|title=This has damaged the integrity of Parliament|work=Derby Telegraph|date=20 May 2009|access-date=26 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307230842/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/damaged-integrity-Parliament/story-11560056-detail/story.html|archive-date=7 March 2014}}</ref> Engel provided the '']'' with all her claim forms.<ref name=LETSPIR>{{cite news|last=Ivers|first=Jennifer|url=http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/15896/MP-Natascha-goes-public-with.5401836.jp|title=MP Natascha goes public with expense claims|work=Derbyshire Times|date=21 May 2009|access-date=27 June 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130422052051/http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/15896/MP-Natascha-goes-public-with.5401836.jp|archive-date=22 April 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
The paper subsequently invited other members of parliament within its circulation area<!-- Not all of Derbyshire. --> to do the same, but only the neighbouring ] MP ] accepted.<ref name=LETSPIR/>
'']'', published ten days later, showed that after her election in 2005, Engel claimed £158.45 incidental expenses for "political history" items, some of which she told the paper she would repay.<ref name=IEP1>{{cite news|last=Sawer|first=Patrick|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5412645/MPs-expenses-Natascha-Engel-claimed-for-DVDs-of-own-speech-in-Parliament.html|title=Natascha Engel claimed for DVDs of own speech in Parliament|work=The Sunday Telegraph|date=31 May 2009|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224174807/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5412645/MPs-expenses-Natascha-Engel-claimed-for-DVDs-of-own-speech-in-Parliament.html|archive-date=24 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The same year, she advised the Fees office of above-limits second home claims, paying the excess though £1,666 worth of kitchen goods were paid in full.<ref name="Telegraph expenses">{{cite news|last=Prince|first=Rosa|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5357867/MPs-expenses-judge-me-now-Natascha-Engel-tells-her-constituents.html|title=Judge me now, Natascha Engel tells her constituents|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=21 May 2009|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214115000/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5357867/MPs-expenses-judge-me-now-Natascha-Engel-tells-her-constituents.html|archive-date=14 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
She admitted that with hindsight she would not have claimed for some kitchen items which were "the letter... not the spirit, of the law". However, she cited costs of setting up a second home and a constituency office, and said she had paid out the money and had not acted corruptly, so she would not be repaying it.<ref name=LETSPIR/>

Following the publication, Engel set up meetings to answer questions though these were not well attended.<ref name=Rethinking>{{cite news|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/58/I39ve-not-made-a-profit.5372962.jp|title=I've not made a profit out of taxpayers: MP|work=Lancashire Evening Post|date=17 June 2009|access-date=25 June 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420225703/http://www.lep.co.uk/58/I39ve-not-made-a-profit.5372962.jp|archive-date=20 April 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

''The Sunday Telegraph''{{'}}s claim that Engel came low on the list of 'value for money' MPs<ref name=IEP1/> was itself criticised by '']'' for failing to mention that Engel had two periods of maternity leave<ref>{{cite news|last=Bunting|first=Madeleine|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/jun/05/mps-expenses-women-politicians-westminster|title=When women can't win|work=The Guardian|date=5 June 2009|access-date=15 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918232943/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/jun/05/mps-expenses-women-politicians-westminster|archive-date=18 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> whilst Engel herself wrote an article linking the expenses and hours of Parliament to the difficulties of raising a young family.<ref name=Nofun>{{cite news|last=Engel|first=Natascha|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/natascha-engel-its-no-fun-being-an-mp-and-a-mother-1692512.html|title=It's no fun being an MP and a mother|work=The Independent|date=29 May 2009|access-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126182711/http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/natascha-engel-its-no-fun-being-an-mp-and-a-mother-1692512.html|archive-date=26 November 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> "The expenses debate... has forced MPs to talk to the people they represent... Only when people realise that we split our time between constituency and Westminster can they begin to understand why we even have a second-home allowance."<ref name=Nofun/>

The ''Legg Report''<ref name=leg>{{cite web|date=4 February 2010|title=Review of past ACA payments|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmmemest/348/348.pdf|publisher=House of Commons Members Estimate Committee|access-date=5 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214183244/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmmemest/348/348.pdf|archive-date=14 February 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> showed that 343 MPs had been asked to repay money, including several from Derbyshire.<ref name=Legg>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/MPs-told-repay-thousands-expenses-row/article-1418008-detail/article.html|title=MPs told they should repay thousands in expenses row|work=Derby Telegraph|date=14 October 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505065442/http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/MPs-told-repay-thousands-expenses-row/article-1418008-detail/article.html|archive-date=5 May 2013}}</ref> Engel repaid £1,934 of which she said £1,339 was a mortgage claim the Fees office paid twice which she repaid immediately whilst £595 was a refund of a house rental deposit.<ref name=Legg/>


===Later elections=== ===Later elections===
In the ], Engel's majority of 1,883 was the 17th-smallest of Labour's 232 seats by percentage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukpolitical.info/labour-mps-elected-2015.htm |title=Labour Members of Parliament 2015 |website=UK Political.info |archive-date=2018-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929214847/http://www.ukpolitical.info/labour-mps-elected-2015.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> She had been expected to lose but she retained her seat.<ref name="Pidd">{{cite news|last=Pidd|first=Helen|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/29/derbyshire-north-east-jeremy-corbyn-wasnt-an-asset|title=Derbyshire North-East: 'In our part of the world Corbyn wasn't an asset'|work=The Guardian|date=29 June 2017|access-date=4 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703221947/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/29/derbyshire-north-east-jeremy-corbyn-wasnt-an-asset|archive-date=3 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In the ], Engel's majority of 1,883 was the 17th-smallest of Labour's 232 seats by percentage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukpolitical.info/labour-mps-elected-2015.htm |title=Labour Members of Parliament 2015 |website=UK Political.info |archive-date=2018-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929214847/http://www.ukpolitical.info/labour-mps-elected-2015.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> She had been expected to lose but she retained her seat.<ref name="Pidd">{{cite news|last=Pidd|first=Helen|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/29/derbyshire-north-east-jeremy-corbyn-wasnt-an-asset|title=Derbyshire North-East: 'In our part of the world Corbyn wasn't an asset'|work=The Guardian|date=29 June 2017|access-date=4 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703221947/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/29/derbyshire-north-east-jeremy-corbyn-wasnt-an-asset|archive-date=3 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>


At the 2017 general election, Engel lost to Conservative ] by 2,861 despite increasing her share of the vote and total number votes on the previous election.<ref name="Pidd"/>
Engel supported continued membership of the ] in the ].<ref>{{Cite web | title = Contacts | url = http://www.labouragainstbrexit.co.uk/contacts.html | website = labouragainstbrexit.co.uk | publisher = Labour Against Brexit | access-date = 1 September 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180901145849/http://www.labouragainstbrexit.co.uk/contacts.html | archive-date = 1 September 2018 | url-status = live }}</ref>

In explanation of her eventual defeat at the ], Engel pointed to problems in Labour gaining votes in its post-industrial heartlands and the absence of a significant student vote in the constituency, comparing the situation with her native ], a seat which Labour had won for the first time at that election.<ref name="Pidd"/>

Engel published a letter in support of fracking (against the national Party policy) immediately after the close of nominations for the Labour candidacy. North East Derbyshire has a large anti-fracking movement due to proposed developments by the chemicals company ], and Engel's nomination had been signed by some anti-fracking activists.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=22 December 2018 |title=Issue 1486 |magazine=] |location=London |publisher=Pressdram Ltd }}</ref>


== After Parliament == == After Parliament ==
On 5 October 2018 the Conservative government announced Engel as the new Commissioner for Shale Gas.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/natascha-engel-appointed-as-commissioner-for-shale-gas | title=Natascha Engel appointed as Commissioner for Shale Gas | access-date=27 October 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028033613/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/natascha-engel-appointed-as-commissioner-for-shale-gas | archive-date=28 October 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref> According to the ] the role was to be "a direct communication link between local communities, the shale gas industry and the industry regulators."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Claire |title=Letter to Clive Betts MP |url=https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/communities-and-local-government/Correspondence/190322%20C%20Perry%20to%20Chair%20re%20Shale%20Gas%20Commissioner.pdf |website=] |publisher=] |access-date=28 April 2019}}</ref>
===Consultant to fracking firm===
After losing her seat in the election it was announced that Engel had taken a job as a consultant to a firm involved in ] with ].<ref name="derbyshiretimes.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/decision-by-former-mp-to-link-up-with-fracking-firm-criticised-1-8895362|title=Decision by former MP to link up with fracking firm criticised|access-date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615032059/https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/decision-by-former-mp-to-link-up-with-fracking-firm-criticised-1-8895362|archive-date=15 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The North East Derbyshire Labour Party have strongly condemned her actions and are considering their options in relation to her status within the party, though she was replaced as the Labour candidate for the area by anti-fracking Sheffield councillor Christine Peace.<ref name="derbyshiretimes.co.uk"/>


From 2019 to 2022, Engel was partner at policy and opinion research agency, where she established the energy and infrastructure practice.<ref>{{cite news |last=Delahunty |first=Stephen |date=2 July 2019 |title=Public First hires former House of Commons deputy speaker |url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1589718 |work=PR Week |access-date=15 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
===Commissioner for Shale Gas===
On 5 October 2018 the Conservative government announced Engel as the new Commissioner for Shale Gas.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/natascha-engel-appointed-as-commissioner-for-shale-gas | title=Natascha Engel appointed as Commissioner for Shale Gas | access-date=27 October 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028033613/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/natascha-engel-appointed-as-commissioner-for-shale-gas | archive-date=28 October 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref> According to the ] she "will be a direct communication link between local communities, the shale gas industry and the industry regulators."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Claire |title=Letter to Clive Betts MP |url=https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/communities-and-local-government/Correspondence/190322%20C%20Perry%20to%20Chair%20re%20Shale%20Gas%20Commissioner.pdf |website=] |publisher=] |access-date=28 April 2019}}</ref>


From September 2022, Engel co-founded Palace Yard with former Public First associate, Tom Waterhouse, where she is now CEO. Palace Yard is a cross-party policy and research institute which specialises in making complex policy accessible to policy-makers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-13 |title=London Influence: Nature calls — New think tank klaxon — Comms 101 |url=https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/politico-london-influence/nature-calls-new-think-tank-klaxon-comms-101-2/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref>
On 28 April 2019, Engel resigned as Commissioner. According to '']'', Engel stated in her resignation: "The UK is currently spending £7bn a year on importing gas – money that is not being used to build schools, hospitals or fix the potholes in our roads".<ref>{{cite news |title=Fracking tsar quits after six months and blames eco activists |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/28/fracking-tsar-quits-after-six-months-and-blames-eco-activists |access-date=28 April 2019 |work=] |agency=] |publisher=] |date=28 Apr 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428013657/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/28/fracking-tsar-quits-after-six-months-and-blames-eco-activists |archive-date=28 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly after resigning, Engel characterised the debate around fracking as 'hysterical' she also accused the government of 'knee jerk policy making'. She added: "Environment lobbyists and campaigners should be fracking’s number one fans. They should be pushing the government to get fracking while we try and bridge that gap between the renewable energy that we're using at the moment which is absolutely negligible."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talkradio.co.uk/news/fracking-tsar-stop-getting-hysterical-about-fracking-19042930843|title=Fracking tsar: Stop getting 'hysterical' about fracking|website=talkradio.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-10-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012111807/https://talkradio.co.uk/news/fracking-tsar-stop-getting-hysterical-about-fracking-19042930843|archive-date=12 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Personal life== ==Personal life==
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== References == == References ==
{{reflist|2}} {{reflist}}


== External links == == External links ==
{{commons category}}
* {{Cite web |url=https://nataschaengelmp.org.uk/ |title=Natascha Engel |access-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225125409/https://nataschaengelmp.org.uk/ |archive-date=25 February 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |df=dmy-all }} * {{Cite web |url=https://nataschaengelmp.org.uk/ |title=Natascha Engel |access-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225125409/https://nataschaengelmp.org.uk/ |archive-date=25 February 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown }}
* {{UK MP links |parliament=natascha-engel/1507 |publicwhip=Natascha_Engel |theywork=natascha_engel }} * {{UK MP links |parliament=natascha-engel/1507 |publicwhip=Natascha_Engel |theywork=natascha_engel }}


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{{UK Youth Parliament}} {{UK Youth Parliament}}

{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 10:07, 26 July 2024

British Labour politician

Natascha Engel
Engel in 2012
Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons
Second Deputy Chair of Ways and Means
In office
3 June 2015 – 8 June 2017
SpeakerJohn Bercow
Preceded byDawn Primarolo
Succeeded byRosie Winterton
Chair of the Backbench Business Committee
In office
15 June 2010 – 3 June 2015
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byIan Mearns
Member of Parliament
for North East Derbyshire
In office
5 May 2005 – 3 May 2017
Preceded byHarry Barnes
Succeeded byLee Rowley
Personal details
Born (1967-04-09) 9 April 1967 (age 57)
Berlin, Germany
NationalityBritish
Political partyLabour
Spouse David Salisbury-Jones ​ ​(div. 2012)
Children3 sons
ResidenceUnited Kingdom
Alma materKing's College London,
University of Westminster
ProfessionTranslator; trade union organiser

Natascha Engel (born 9 April 1967) is a British former politician. She served as Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for North East Derbyshire from 2005 until her defeat at the 2017 general election.

During her final two years in Parliament, Engel was Deputy Speaker (Second Deputy Chair of Ways and Means). She established and was the inaugural chair of the Backbench Business Committee (2010–2015) for which she was awarded Parliamentarian of the Year in 2013 by the Political Studies Association and the Spectator's Backbencher of the Year in 2015.

Engel is now CEO of cross-party policy and research institute, Palace Yard.

Early life and education

The King's School, Canterbury

Engel was born in Berlin, Germany, to a German father and an English mother. After her parents' divorce she moved with her mother to Kent and was educated at Kent College and The King's School, Canterbury.

She later trained as a linguist in German and Portuguese at King's College London and at the University of Westminster where she obtained a Master's degree in Technical and Specialised Translation (German, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese).

Early career

While living in Madrid, Spain, Engel worked as a volunteer for two years in the local office of Amnesty International while earning a living as an English and German teacher. After returning to Britain to work as a Teletext subtitler, Engel learned British Sign Language and volunteered as a communication support worker. She was among the first to join the Organising Academy of the Trade Union Congress, serving with the Graphical, Paper and Media Union. In 2001 she co-ordinated the political fund ballots to help trade unions to maintain their political funds.

Engel joined the Labour Party staff as a Trade Union Liaison Officer in 1997 organising marginal seats campaigning and co-ordinating trade union policy with the Labour Party. In 2001 she became programme director at the think tank, the Smith Institute.

Parliamentary career

House of Commons

After her election in 2005, Engel was appointed to the Work and Pensions Select Committee.

She served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Peter Hain when he was Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. She performed the same role for Liam Byrne in 2008 when he was at the Cabinet Office, and then for John Denham when he was Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in 2009.

In July 2009, she was elected to the Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons, chaired by Tony Wright MP.

On 15 June 2010, the House of Commons voted to create a Backbench Business Committee, and one week later, Engel defeated Sir Alan Haselhurst 202 to 173 in a secret ballot of MPs to become its first chair. On 6 July 2011 she was named "Backbencher of the Year" for her work with the committee.

Engel's role was to allocate roughly one day a week parliamentary debating time between competing backbenchers by a process described by Quentin Letts as akin to Dragons' Den. She expressed pride in the committee, which is "a powerful check on the executive". Debates are allowed on any topic and, unless they are against party policy, the whips don't interfere. The most contentious debate was on the EU referendum held on 24 October 2011. Engel was re-elected, unopposed, to the chair of the committee May 2012.

After the 2015 General Election, Engel was elected unopposed to be Deputy Speaker (Second Chairman of Ways and Means) under John Bercow's speakership. Alongside her fellow Deputies, Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Dame Eleanor Laing, Engel never said how she voted in the 2016 EU referendum knowing that she would later have to chair debates on the subject.

Youth campaigns

Engel in 2008

Engel was on the Board of Trustees of the UK Youth Parliament and has worked to encourage young people to participate in democracy. Engel became chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs in 2008. At the ePolitix Charity Champion awards in November 2007, Engel was named "Children and Youth Champion" for her work. At the 2007–08 annual general meeting of the British Youth Council, she was chosen as an Honorary President of the council.

Expenses

The Legg Report showed that 343 MPs had been asked to repay money, including several from Derbyshire. Engel repaid £1,934 of which she said £1,339 was a mortgage claim the Fees office paid twice which she repaid immediately whilst £595 was a refund of a house rental deposit.

Later elections

In the 2015 general election, Engel's majority of 1,883 was the 17th-smallest of Labour's 232 seats by percentage. She had been expected to lose but she retained her seat.

At the 2017 general election, Engel lost to Conservative Lee Rowley by 2,861 despite increasing her share of the vote and total number votes on the previous election.

After Parliament

On 5 October 2018 the Conservative government announced Engel as the new Commissioner for Shale Gas. According to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy the role was to be "a direct communication link between local communities, the shale gas industry and the industry regulators."

From 2019 to 2022, Engel was partner at policy and opinion research agency, Public First where she established the energy and infrastructure practice.

From September 2022, Engel co-founded Palace Yard with former Public First associate, Tom Waterhouse, where she is now CEO. Palace Yard is a cross-party policy and research institute which specialises in making complex policy accessible to policy-makers.

Personal life

In 2012, she and her veterinary surgeon husband divorced; they have three sons.

References

  1. ^ "Natascha Engel: Biography". Politics. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  2. Kyla Mandel; Mat Hope (9 June 2017). "What Does a Hung Parliament Mean for Energy and Climate Change Issues?".
  3. "Director presents Awards at PSA Ceremony". University of Edinburgh Academy of Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  4. Nelson, Fraser (5 November 2015). "Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year 2015: the winners". The Spectator. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  5. Engel, Natascha (31 October 2011). "Parliament Week and contributing to democracy". Total Politics. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  6. Waller, Robert; Criddle, Byron (2007). The Almanac of British Politics. Taylor & Francis. p. 351. ISBN 9780415378246.
  7. Natascha Engel on LinkedIn Edit this at Wikidata
  8. "Reform of the House of Commons Committee". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  9. "Election for Chair of Backbench Business Committee—Result" (PDF). House of Commons. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 October 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  10. "Natascha Engel Recognized As "Backbencher of the Year"". The Chesterfield Post. 7 July 2011. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  11. ^ Elliott, Amber (21 April 2012). "Engel: 'The last two years have been hell on earth'". Total Politics. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  12. "EU referendum: Rebels lose vote in Commons". BBC News. 25 October 2011. Archived from the original on 8 June 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  13. "Natascha Engel Elected Chair of the Backbench Business Committee". House of Commons. 17 May 2012. Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  14. "Page cannot be found". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  15. Youth Affairs Group, British Youth Council.
  16. Charity award winners announced, 28 November 2007.
  17. Derbyshire Times, 13 December 2007
  18. BYC Honorary President Archived 1 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  19. "Review of past ACA payments" (PDF). House of Commons Members Estimate Committee. 4 February 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 February 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  20. ^ "MPs told they should repay thousands in expenses row". Derby Telegraph. 14 October 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013.
  21. "Labour Members of Parliament 2015". UK Political.info. Archived from the original on 29 September 2018.
  22. ^ Pidd, Helen (29 June 2017). "Derbyshire North-East: 'In our part of the world Corbyn wasn't an asset'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  23. "Natascha Engel appointed as Commissioner for Shale Gas". Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  24. Perry, Claire. "Letter to Clive Betts MP" (PDF). Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee. House of Commons of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  25. Delahunty, Stephen (2 July 2019). "Public First hires former House of Commons deputy speaker". PR Week. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  26. "London Influence: Nature calls — New think tank klaxon — Comms 101". POLITICO. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2023.

External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded byHarry Barnes Member of Parliament for North East Derbyshire
20052017
Succeeded byLee Rowley
UK Youth Parliament
Management
Key people
Devolved Assemblies
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Wales
Northern Ireland
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