Andrew Fisher (political activist)

Andrew Fisher (born 1979)[1] is a British political activist and author who was a senior policy adviser to the Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn,[2][3][4] and was described as Corbyn's head of policy by some sources.[5][6]

Early life

Fisher was educated at the private Brighton College Junior School and Brighton College Senior School, the latter for GCSEs. He sat A levels at Worthing sixth form college before gaining an MA in politics at Cambridge.[7]

Professional career

He worked as a parliamentary researcher for six years, and was policy officer at the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union. According to Labour List,[8] in 2006 he co-founded the Left Economics Advisory Panel (LEAP), a body chaired by John McDonnell.[9]

After Jeremy Corbyn became Leader of the Labour Party in September 2015, Fisher was appointed as an adviser.[8] In November 2015, he was suspended from the Labour Party, following complaints from other Labour party members, for appearing to endorse a Class War candidate in the May 2015 general election.[3][5] In a statement, Corbyn stated that he still had full confidence in him.[10][11] Fisher apologised and said that he had been misinterpreted. His suspension was lifted by the Labour National Executive Committee later in the month, and he was issued with a warning.[12]

On 21 September 2019 he announced that he was resigning before the end of the year to spend more time with his family.[13] He had a key role in the party's campaign in the December General Election. [14]

Writings

Fisher has also maintained a blog at LEAP Economics.[7] He is the author of The Failed Experiment: And How to Build an Economy that Works, a book published in 2014 about the financial crisis of 2007–2008. According to one reviewer, the book "argues for the urgent need for a fundamental democratisation of the economy, and recognises this will require a re-intensification of popular struggles."[15]

Fisher wrote an online article for The Guardian in the aftermath of the 2019 UK General Election, on 17th December 2019.[2] He wrote another on 18th January 2020, regarding the 2020 Labour Party deputy leadership election.[16]

He wrote an online article for The i on 17th February 2020, regarding the legacy of Tony Blair, and New Labour.[17]

Television

Fisher appeared on the BBC's Politics Live on 13th January 2020, with Steve Baker, Anneliese Dodds and Sarah Baxter.[18]

Fisher was interviewed by Katie Razzall for the BBC's Newsnight on 17th January 2020, regarding the 2020 Labour Party leadership election.[19]

Personal life

Fisher is married with a son, and has lived in Croydon since 2006.[1]

References
  1. Andrew Jameson, "Croydon man's book sheds light on financial crisis", Croydon Advertiser, 8 June 2014 Archived 24 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 November 2015
  2. Fisher, Andrew (17 December 2019). "There is a lot to criticise. But Corbyn and McDonnell have transformed Labour | Andrew Fisher | Opinion". The Guardian.
  3. Sparrow, Andrew; Johnston, Chris (7 November 2015). "Labour suspends Corbyn political adviser Andrew Fisher". the Guardian. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  4. "Corbyn aide Andrew Fisher suspended by Labour Party". BBC News. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  5. "Jeremy Corbyn's adviser Andrew Fisher has been suspended by the Labour Party". The Independent. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  6. "Corbyn policy head Andrew Fisher suspended from Labour over tweets". New Statesman. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  7. "About the author", The Failed Experiment, The Radical Read Project deadlink Archived 8 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 November 2015
  8. "Who’s been hired to work in Corbyn’s office?", Labour List, 18 September 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2015
  9. "Beyond the conference", LEAP Economics, 26 May 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2015
  10. Toby Helm and Daniel Boffey (6 November 2015). "Corbyn adviser Andrew Fisher faces new claim of disloyalty". The Guardian.
  11. "Jeremy Corbyn criticised for standing by suspended aide". BBC News. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  12. "Labour aide Fisher warned over conduct as suspension lifted", BBC News, 27 November 2015
  13. "Andrew Fisher: Jeremy Corbyn's senior aide to quit", BBC News, 21 September 2019
  14. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jan/21/crushed-by-brexit-how-labour-lost-the-election
  15. Michael Calderbank, Review of The Failed Experiment, RedPepper.org. Retrieved 9 November 2015
  16. Fisher, Andrew (18 January 2020). "Labour's deputy leader has a crucial role. And it's time to define exactly what that is | Andrew Fisher | Opinion". The Guardian.
  17. Fisher, Andrew (17 February 2020). "Labour needs to leave Tony Blair behind - he would never get elected now". The i.
  18. Politics Live on BBC iPlayer, 13th January 2020
  19. Newsnight on BBC iPlayer, 17th January 2020
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