University honour for former Blackpool MP

Gordon Marsden, who represented Blackpool South from 1997 until 2019, was presented with an honorary doctorate by the Open University at a ceremony held at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

A former Open University lecturer, he chaired the all party parliamentary group on employment and skills.

As a shadow minister he devised and carried through the Lifelong Learning Commission , whose 2019 report to the Labour Party recommended a statutory right to learn for everyone.

During nine years on the Labour front bench, he was shadow minister for skills and regional growth, then transport, and finally a combined portfolio covering higher and further education and skills.

Since leaving Parliament he has continued to be an active campaigner for education and lifelong learning, including as an ambassador for the Foundation for Education Development aiming to improve education across all sectors.

His citation from the Open University said: "These values, of course, absolutely correspond to our own mission to open up higher education for everyone, regardless of background and circumstances. "

Mr Marsden said it was a poignant moment to be receiving an honorary degree in the city he was brought up in.

In his address at the ceremony, he said: "The founder of the Open University Jennie Lee saw no need for education to conflict between excellence and social justice.

"That is a relevant today as 50 years ago. As an historian, politician and educator I have echoed that, most recently with our Right to Learn campaign."