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Meet the council’s new Doctor of Philosophy

No one is too old to better themselves. Returning to higher education later in life is something I would recommend to anyone
Councillor Dr Christopher Kemp

It’s a rare event for a council when one of its Members presents it with a bound thesis, but that’s what will happen when Councillor Christopher Kemp is present in the chamber for its meeting on Monday.

It will also be a big moment for his Councillor colleagues because they will be welcoming their first member to be made a Doctor of Philosophy while serving as a councillor in the past 16 years.

His 251-page thesis on “The Development of the Contractual Society in Early Modern England” resulted in Councillor Kemp being awarded his PhD, and brought to a conclusion a decade of part-time study.

Earlier this month, this admirer of Aristotle’s Politics joined graduates at the UEA to receive his doctorate, a moment he described as “at once uplifting and humbling: to be admitted to the ranks of such a distinguished community of scholarship is a great privilege”.

The formal ceremony at the University of East Anglia took place on Thursday 16 July at the History Faculty's Congregation.

Councillor Kemp, who represents Cringleford on the Council said:

“No one is too old to better themselves. Returning to higher education later in life is something I would recommend to anyone – it does not have to be History; the UEA offers a wide-range of courses for mature students.”

Dr Kemp, 66, is a semi-retired solicitor who moved to Norfolk in 1994 and finished full-time work in 2000. He has served as a member of South Norfolk Council since 2003 and as Chairman of its influential Scrutiny Committee throughout that period. He was a Councillor in London before moving to Norfolk, and was first elected a Councillor at 25. He now has 33 years of public service. He is married with two grown-up sons, both of whom are also graduates of the UEA. His youngest son William, who graduated in 2005, is now a Member of South Norfolk Council himself. Though he failed the Eleven Plus, with his parents’ support Councillor Christopher Kemp nevertheless went on to obtain five GCE ‘A’ Levels.

His undergraduate studies were at the London School of Economics (1962-65) where he obtained a BSc (Econ) in Government, covering politics, history, law and economics.

Afterwards, he qualified as a Solicitor and was Principal Assistant Solicitor (Common Law) at the British Railways Board for 15 years. He obtained an MA in Regional and Local History at the UEA in 1998 following a taught two-year part time course and went on from this to his ten-year part time research project which led to the PhD. Dr Victor Morgan of the School of History was his Supervisor.

He said: “My research covered legal, political, constitutional, intellectual and cultural history. I had to learn to read Law, French and improve my Latin. I read literally hundreds of books and thousands of articles, including pouring over original 16th and 17th Century manuscripts.”

In an age where older people in our community are being urged to remain in work, and continue studying – he is an example of what can be achieved. He said:

“Though I have retired from full time work I have nevertheless continued working part-time and, since 2003, I have been spending about 50 hours each month on my Council duties.

“I presently teach Employment Law as a sessional lecturer at City College, Norwich and still work at least one day each week as a Solicitor. “My interest in returning to academic research was prompted by my wife who drew my attention to an advertisement in the EDP inviting attendance at a School of History meeting for those interested in taking up studies later in life. This led to the MA taught course and thereafter to the PhD research.”

The Doctorate does not mean an end to his studies. Far from it. The Councillor who has won a reputation for his intellect, and the Classical quotes that sometimes preface his Scrutiny reports, is pressing on. He said:

“Though I have finished the PhD project, my academic interests continue. I am presently completing a Post-Graduate Certificate in Local Government at the Institute of Local Government Studies, University of Birmingham.

“I am also working on the third and final module - Comparative Local Government. My current Essay, "Does Size Matter in Local Government" is a very appropriate given the debate in national and local government over the future of Norfolk.” Dr Kemp funded his PhD project entirely from his own pocket and admits it was not easy to keep going. But he urged others not to be put off from study.

“At times it was difficult to maintain progress at the same time as fulfil my part-time work commitments and latterly my duties as a District councillor. With the support and understanding of my family and the guidance of my Supervisor, I somehow managed.

“And I would urge others to do the same, especially as people are living longer and staying on in work for longer.” He added:

“Some of the fruits of my studies have been shared with my Council colleagues. As Chairman of the Council's Scrutiny Committee I present a written report to each Council meeting. I prefix these reports with a quotation relevant to local government but often drawn from my research.

“I believe it is important that what we do as a small English local authority is seen to be located within the continuum of history. It is always useful to remind ourselves of the wisdom from the past that can illuminate the present and inform the future.” Dr Kemp will be presenting one of the bound copies of his Thesis to the Council at its meeting on Monday (20 July) to mark the fact that he completed the latter part of his research while serving as a Member.

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