Former Labour MP Tom Harris has launched a new public affairs consultancy, Third Avenue Communications Ltd.
Harris, Labour’s longest-serving Railways Minister, lost his Glasgow South seat to the “SNP tsunami” after fourteen years in the House of Commons. He and his wife, Carolyn, set up the new consultancy weeks after the 2015 General Election.
Prior to his time in Parliament, Harris worked as a journalist before launching a career in public relations, initially with the Labour Party, followed by a successful spell in local government PR and Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT). In Parliament Harris served on the Transport and Science & Technology Select Committees and as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Ministers in the Department of Health and Northern Ireland Office.
Carolyn ran Tom’s Office during his time as an MP, first in Westminster and latterly in Glasgow. She assisted on a constituency level as well as liaising with government departments, businesses, charities and voluntary organisations on his behalf. Like Tom, Carolyn’s background was in PR and Press Offices including at Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police Force.
Tom Harris commented: "At May’s general election, after 14 years as an MP, I was invited by my former constituents to consider alternative career opportunities. I have therefore set up my own public affairs company.
“This is a very exciting departure for me and Carolyn. The new Conservative government is pursuing a radical policy agenda that will affect every area of business, and I believe we can offer the support and advice organisations need to navigate through this changed political landscape.”