Constituency : Burnley 2010-15
Gordon took Burnley from Labour after the incumbent Kitty Usher was damaged by the expenses scandal. It was his fourth attempt at the seat. His victory was also helped by the transfer of the local A & E unit to Blackburn.
Gordon was born in Oswaldtwistle and began work as a craft engineering apprentice at a textile machinery firm in Accrington. He achieved engineering qualifications at Accrington College and moved through a number of local firms eventually becoming a director then set up his own company, P & J Engineering Supplies. He was originally a Labour councillor but switched to the SDP in the eighties. He became leader of Burnley Council in 2006. He retired in 2008. He stood fior Burnley in 1992 and 1997 coming third then moved up to second in 2005.
Gordon became PPS to Danny Alexander, serving until 2012. In 2014 he stood for Liberal Democrat deputy leader. He voted against gay marriage. Gordon's campaigning helped to reinstate the Todmorden Curve which allows direct rail services between Burnley and Manchester. He secured a new emergency unit in Burnley.He also brought increased investment to the town.In 2013 he became Government Apprenticeships Ambassador to Business.
In 2015 Gordon was defeated by Labour although the swing against him was relatively small. In 2017 he slipped to third place behind the Conservatives. He announced his retirement from parliamentary politics following the result.
Gordon remains leader of the Liberal Democrat group in Burnley and said he'd been "knifed in the back" when four councillors left to form an independent group over Brexit in 2017.
He is now 75.
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