Fred Osbourne

Alfred Joseph Osbourne (b. May 17, 1938) is a Conservative Member of the Georgeland House of Commons, who has represented the rural East Mainland seat of Stonehouse twice; from 1975 until 1987, and again from 1991. Osbourne never attended university, instead enlisting in the United Islands Navy after high school. He was discharged as a Corporal in 1960, and began working at his father's farm. By the early 1970s, Osbourne had become a successful local businessman, operating several produce farms and became a spokesman for the primary producers of the region. In 1973, at the age of 35, he became the President of the Georgeland Agricultural Association, the national farmers' lobby group. In 1975 he was selected for and won the seat of Stonehouse, which he has represented ever since, save for a four-year break. Osbourne lost his seat at the 1987 federal election to a Labour candidate, Kevin Simpson, but won it back four years later and has represented it ever since. Osbourne has a reputation as a solid campaigner and local member, and has consistently won elections, despite his seat remaining a key marginal for the entirety of his term of office. Osbourne is somewhat moderate by Conservative standards, and supported Luke Macaulay's leadership bid. He has never served on the front bench and has state he has no desire to do so. He announced in December 2006 that he would not seek re-nomination for his seat at the next election. Osbourne was married to former Tory MP Janice Hurley from 1968 until 1990, but the marriage ended in divorce. He currently lives with his partner, Susan Warrington, in his constituency.