Vernon Coaker is Labour MP for Gedling in Nottinghamshire. He won the seat in 1997, and this year will defend a majority of 3,811.

Since June 2009 Vernon has been the Minister of State for Schools and Learners, having previously been Minister of State for Policing, Security and Crime and the Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office.

Prior to this he was a Government Whip, Parliamentary Private Secretary to Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and Parliamentary Private Secretary to Estelle Morris when she was Secretary of State for Education. His other main interests are International Development, Foreign Policy, Education, the Environment and Animal Welfare issues. Before becoming an MP, Vernon was Deputy Headteacher at Bigwood School in Nottingham, one of four schools that he taught at in the local area.

With a general election looming, this is a rare opportunity to hear first hand what the life of a government minister is like, and what Vernon has contributed to Nottingham in his time in Parliament so far. Vernon has agreed to take questions from the audience and no doubt there will be plenty of them!

Lunch includes a 3 course meal with Coffee and speaker.

Cost:

 Members: £17.50

Non-Members: £27.50