About Steven Norris
Steven John Norris (born 24 May 1945) is a British former politician and businessman. A member of the Conservative Party, he served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Oxford East from 1983 to 1987. After narrowly losing that marginal seat he re-entered the House of Commons at a by-election for Epping Forest in 1988, which he held until stepping down to focus on his business career in 1997. Norris was subsequently chosen by Conservative Party members to be their candidate for Mayor of London in 2000 and 2004 in which he secured 42% and 45% of the vote respectively, coming second to Ken Livingstone on both occasions. == Early life and career == Norris attended the Liverpool Institute for Boys, a grammar school, from 1956 to 1963 where he was Head Boy. He earned an open Exhibition in Social Studies and graduated from Worcester College, Oxford, where he was president of the University Law Society. After graduating, he pursued a career in the engineering and motor industries and entered politics upon election to Berkshire County Council in 1977, where he became deputy leader. == Parliamentary and ministerial career == In 12 years as member of parliament, Norris was appointed Parliamentary private secretary to William Waldegrave, at the Department of the Environment; to Nicholas Ridley at the Department of Trade and Industry; and to Kenneth Baker at the Home Office. He was then promoted to minister for transport in London by John Major in 1992, where he was responsible for the Jubilee line Extension, the largest extension of the London Underground network to date, as well as the privatisation of London bus services. == Public transport roles == Norris's expertise on public transport issues led him to roles as chairman of the National Cycling Strategy Board, director general of the Road Haulage Association and president of the Motor Cycle Industry Association, and a commissioner with the Independent Transport Commission.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.