Vernon has served his constituency since 1997.  After a number of Parliamentary Private Secretary roles, he became a government whip in May 2005.  He then served as a Minister of State at the Home Office between 2008 and 2009 before taking up the role of Minister of State for Schools and Learning between 2009 and 2010.

He has held positions in the Labour Shadow Cabinet, as both Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence and Shadow Minister of State for Schools.

Vernon was recently selected to join the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). This is the parliamentary arm of the Council of Europe, a 47-nation international organisation dedicated to upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The Council of Europe is an older and wider circle of nations than the 28-member European Union – it includes, for example, Russia and Turkey among its member states – and oversees the European Court of Human Rights.

Vernon is also a member of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee which is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the administration, expenditure and policy of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and its associated public bodies.

Vernon’s main policy interests are international development, foreign policy, social care, education, animal welfare, the environment, business, energy and industrial strategy.

Nottingham City Business Club was established in 1924, with its membership comprising of senior representatives of the local business community. The club is sponsored by national law firm Buckles, who have an office in Nottingham city centre.

President of the club, Mark Deakin, added: “We are really pleased that Vernon Coaker has agreed to be the guest speaker at our May lunch.  With just under a year to go before the UK leaves the EU, it is pertinent to have someone of his stature speaking about what this means for local businesses.  I am sure that our members and guests will find it very valuable to hear from him and to have the opportunity to ask him questions.”