Bottomley tops APPG membership list
By Tony Grew - 25th February 2011
A veteran Tory MP is a member of 151 all-party parliamentary groups, the highest number among members of Parliament.
The Guardian's analysis of APPG membership found Peter Bottomley tops the list - the top five are all Conservative MPs.
Among them is deputy Speaker Nigel Evans, who is a member of 80 APPGs.
Bottomley defended his interests to the paper.
"I'm glad you've noticed I sit on more of these groups than others - I'm interested in a lot of things and I am very keen on lobbying," he said.
"Through the advisory council on transport safety, I lobbied to introduce mandatory front seat belts, which saved lives.
"Or another group on which I sit which tries to encourage young people to take an interest in sailing, with the support of the industry. I think that's a good cause, too.
"I am asserting these all-party groups are a good thing."
The top ten APPG memberships:
Peter Bottomley (Con, Worthing West) 151 groups
David Amess (Con, Southend West) 86
Andrew Rosindell (Con, Romford) 83
Nigel Evans (Con, Ribble Valley) 80
Mark Pritchard (Con, The Wrekin) 76
Jim Dobbin (Lab, Heywood and Middleton) 72
Robert Walter (Con, North Dorset) 60
Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Lib Dem) 53
Andrew George (Lib Dem, St Ives) 52
Clive Betts (Lab, Sheffield SE) 51
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