Janet Anderson MP
Bo
rn 06.12.49, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Three children.
Educated at Polytechnic of Central London and University of Nantes, France.
Prior to entering Parliament was Parliamentary Labour Party Campaigns Officer, PA to Jack Straw MP and Barbara Castle MP. Former Secretary at the Scotsman and Sunday Times.
MP for Rossendale and Darwen since 1992. Member, House of Commons Catering Committee. Former Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting.
Member of the Royal College of Nursing Advisory Panel and GMB.
In ministerial role is responsible for introducing free TV licences for over 75s. Previously introduced Private Members Bills on Stalking and Paedophiles.
Hilary Armstrong MP
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Government Chief Whip
MP for North West Durham since 1987.
Lives in Crook and is married to Dr Paul Corrigan.
Born on the 30th November 1945, her father, the late Ernest Armstrong, was her predecessor as MP for the area and a former Deputy Speaker of the Commons.
Educated at Monkwearmouth Comprehensive School, West Ham College of Technology and the University of Birmingham.
Before entering parliament she spent time overseas as a VSO volunteer, teaching at a Girls School in Kenya. Lecturer in Youth and Community Work at Sunderland Polytechnic. Community Worker at Southwick Neighbourhood Action Project in Sunderland. Between 1985 and 1987 served as a councillor on Durham County Council.
Served as opposition frontbench spokesperson on Education (1988- 1992) and Treasury affairs (1994-1995). Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to John Smith in 1992. Opposition spokesperson on the Environment and London (1995). Labour Party’s National Executive Committee Member (1992-1997).
Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions with responsibility for Local Government and Housing (1997-2001). Chief Whip since June 2001
Outside of politics, Hilary enjoys reading, going to the theatre, learning French and walking in the dales. Hilary is also a fan of Sunderland AFC.
Vera Baird QC MP
Born 13.02.51, Oldham, Lancashire.
Two adult stepsons.
LLB (Hons), University of Northumbria, BA, Open University, MA, London University (in progress).
MP for Redcar since June 2001. Member, Joint Committee on Human Rights.
Vice-chair Society of Labour Lawyers, Vice-chair Fawcett Society. Member of T&G, Justice, Greenpeace and RSPCA.
Leading a team to be funded by the Home Office monitoring gender impact of all criminal justice proposals/legislation.
Has written extensively on women’s issues.
Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP
Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Born 15 January 1943 in Ashton-Under-Lyne Lancashire, Member of Parliament for Derby South since 1983. Previously MP for Lincoln 1974-1979.
Prior to Parliament, worked as a Metallurgist at Manchester University.
Research Assistant for the Labour Party in 1970 and Political Advisor to the Ministry for Overseas Development in 1974. PPS to Minister of Overseas Development (Mrs Judith Hart) 1974-75. Government Whip (1975). Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Education and Science 1976-1979.
Principal Researcher for Granada Television 1979-1983.
Shadow Minister for Social Security 1984-1989, shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury 1989-1992, shadow Leader of the House 1992-1994.
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party 1992-1994 and Leader between May and July 1994 after the death of the Rt Hon John Smith MP.
Shadow Secretary of State for Health 1994-1995, and shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 1995-1997.
Appointed President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry after the 1997 election. Appointed President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons in July 1998.
Honorary President of Labour Friends of India.
Mrs Beckett is married to Leo.
Anne Begg MP
Born 06.12.55, Angus, Scotland.
MA History and Politics, University of Aberdeen. Secondary Teaching Qualification, Aberdeen College of Eduaction.
Before entering Parliament, taught at Abroath Academy as Principal Teacher of English (1991-1997), Assistant Principal Teacher of English (1988-1991), and taught English and History at Webster’s High School in Kirriermuir (1978-1988).
Elected MP for Aberdeen South in May 1997. Member of Scottish Affairs Select Committee (1997 – 2001).
Patron of the National Federation of Shopmobility, Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Society, Angus Special Playscheme, and Honorary Vice Chair of Aberdeen Opera Society.
Disabled Scot of the Year (1988). Prior to becoming a MP, was active in the Educational Institute of Scotland and an elected member of the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
Elizabeth Blackman MP
Born 26.09.49, Penrith, Cumbria.
Two children.
Educated at Clifton College of Education, Nottingham.
Before entering Parliament was the Head of Upper School at Bramcote Park Comprehensive.
MP for Erewash since 1997. PPS to the Rt Hon Geoff Hoon (2001-date). Member of Treasury Select Committee (1997-2000). Deputy Leader, Broxtowe Borough Council.
Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism.
Member of GMB.
Hazel Blears MP
Born and brought up in Salford. Prior to Parliament was a senior solicitor and a North West Councillor. Chair of the Salford Community Health Council 1992-1996.
Elected as Member of Parliament for Salford in 1997.
PPS to Alan Milburn 1998-1999. Appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health in June 2001, and promoted to Minister for Public Health in May 2002.
Moved to the Home Office June 2003 and promoted to Minister of State with responsibility for crime reduction, policing, community safety and counter-terrorism.
During the 1997-2001 Parliament: Vice President of the Local Government Association, Vice Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Party Development Co-ordinator and a member of the Health and Culture, Media and Sport backbench committees. Played an active role in a number of All-Party Parliamentary Groups, including the Rugby League Group. (A keen supporter of the Salford Reds!)
Member of the T&G, and Co-operative Action. Former member of the Labour Party’s National Policy Forum. Appointed to the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party in October 2003.
Author of: The Politics of Decency (Mutuo 2004), Communities in Control (Fabian Society 2003), Making Health Care Mutual (Mutuo 2002)
Interests outside of Parliament include motorcycling, tap dancing, going to the cinema and theatre and fell walking. Married to Michael Halsall and lives in Salford.
Lyn Brown MP
Elected member for West Ham 5th May 2005.
Born 13th April 1960
Was previously a policy officer for Waltham Forrest.
Former Constituency Agent in Newham CLP
Founder of the London Library Development Boards
Member of the London Region Sports Board, London Arts Board and the Museums, Libraries and Achieves Council, London.
Member of the Cooperative Party
Recreations include walking and reading.
Karen Buck MP
Born 30 August 1958
Educated at the London School of Economics – BSc, MSc, MA
Prior to Parliament worked for: a charity specialising in employment for disabled people; the London Borough of Hackney in the same field; the Labour Party Head Office as a Policy Officer specialising in health; and from 1992 until election in 1997 worked in the Labour Party’s Campaigns Unit.
MP for Regents Park and Kensington North since 1997.
Served on the Select Committee on Social Security, 1997–2001, and the Work and Pensions Select Committee, 2001-present. Chair of the London Group of Labour MPs. Served as a member of the Mayor of London’s Affordable Housing Commission. Board Member of constituency SRB projects.
Lives with her partner Barrie Taylor. They have one son.
Special Interests include: housing, protected tenants and leasehold reform, urban regeneration, refugees and asylum-seekers, welfare, children.
Ann Clwyd MP
Born 31.03.37, Denbigh.
Educated at Holywell grammar and University College of Wales, Bangor.
Previously a freelance journalist and Welsh Correspondent for the Guardian and The Observer.
MP for Cynon Valley since by-election in 1984. Previously MEP for Mid and West Wales (1979-1984).
Member of the International Development Select Committee (1997-2001). Chairman of the All-Party Group on Human rights, Joint Vice Chair on Portugal. IPU Vice Chair
Former Shadow Secretary of State for International Development. Former assistant to John Prescott as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.
Member of the NUJ and T&G.
Former member of the NEC (1983-1984).
Main leisure interests include walking and boating.
Yvette Cooper MP
Educated at Eggars Comprehensive, Alton Sixth Form College, Oxford University, Harvard University and the London School of Economics.
Worked as economic columnist and leader writer on the Independent newspaper. Also worked as Economic Researcher for late John Smith MP, Policy Advisor to Labour’s Treasury Team in opposition between 1990-94 and as Policy Advisor to the Bill Clinton Presidential Campaign in 1992.
Elected MP for Pontefract and Castleford in 1997, appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 13 June 2003.
Minister in Lord Chancellor’s department 2002-03. Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Public Health 1999-2002. Previously member of Education and Employment Select Committee. Member of Employment Sub-Committee and Member Intelligence and Security Committee.
Political interests include unemployment, energy (coal industry), child poverty.
Married to Ed Balls, PPC for Normanton. Two children. Enjoys swimming, painting portraits (badly) and watching the West Wing between Disney videos
Mary Creagh MP
Elected Member for Wakefield 5th May 2005
Leader of the labour Group on Islington council 2000- 2004
Political interests include Europe, employment, social policy, disability issues and the Irish community.
Edicated at Pembrook College, Oxford and the LSE.
Born 2nd December 1967
Member of the Europena Movement, the Cooperative Party and Amnesty International.
Married to Adam Pulham with one son.
Recreations include yoga, cycling, swimming food and spening time with her family.
Claire Curtis-Thomas MP
Born 30.04.58, Neath, Glamorgan.
Married. Three children.
BSc Mech Eng, University College Cardiff. MBA Business Administration and Chartered Engineer, Aston University. Honorary Doctorate, University of Stafford (Technology).
Before entering Parliament worked as an Engineering Consultant. Previously worked for Shell Chemicals and was Dean of Engineering, University of Wales College, Newport. Fellow of the City & Guilds Institute.
MP for Crosby since 1997. Member of Science and Technology Select Committee (1997-date). Secretary of Eddisbury Labour Party (1995-1997).
Member of the Co-operative Party, Labour Women’s Network, Soroptimist International and Amnesty International.
Successfully introduced Private Member’s Bill on Protection of Animals.
Angela Eagle MP
Born 17 February 1961 in Bridlington. Educated at Formby High School (comprehensive) and St John’s College Oxford, BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
Worked for CoHSE (now UNISON) as researcher, Press Officer and Parliamentary Liaison Officer.
Elected to the Party’s National Women’s Committee in 1989 and chaired the National Conference of Labour Women in 1991. Elected in 1992 to become the first ever Labour MP for Wallasey
Following the 1997 Election was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the department of Environment and Transport under the Deputy Prime Minister.
Moved to the Department of Social Security in 1998 as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Home Office 2001-2002.
Twin sister Maria Eagle is MP for Liverpool Garston.
Natascha Engel MP
Elected member for North East Derbyshire 5th May 2005.
National Trade Union Policy Coordinator
Was the national Trade Union General Election Coordinator
Policy Director for the John Smith Institute
Organiser TUC Organising Academy
Born 9th April 1967
Married with 1 child
Has publishe sever pamphlets including ‘Shop Stewards’ Pocket Policy Guide’, ‘Trade Union Links with the Labour Party’, ‘Rights Won By Unions’, ‘Age of Regions’, ‘Learning to Organise’
Caroline Flint MP
Born 20.09.61, Twickenham, London.
BA (Hons) in American Literature and History, University of East Anglia.
Prior to becoming an MP in 1997, was senior researcher for GMB and before that a principal officer in local government.
Elected for Don Valley, South Yorkshire in 1997. Home Office minister 2003-. Previously PPS to MPs John Reid and Peter Hain. Member of House of Commons Administration Committee. Chair, All-Party Childcare Group. Labour Parliamentary Adviser to the Police Federation (1999 – 2001). Member, Education and Employment Select Committee (1997 – 1999).
Member of GMB. Former founder board member of Sure Start Denaby Main & Conisborugh; former patron of RSPCA Doncaster, Rotherham & District branch.
Particular policy interests are family policy, crime and anti-social behaviour, foreign affairs, education and welfare to work
Personal interests include cinema, leisure time with her family and tap-dancing. She is a member of the Division Bells, a parliamentary tap-dancing troop.
Barbara Follett MP
Born 25.12.42, Kingston, Jamaica.
Married. Five children/stepchildren and two grandchildren.
BSc (Econ), London School of Economics.
Before entering Parliament was Visiting Fellow at the Insititute of Public Policy Research (1993-1995). Campaigned against apartheid while living in South Africa and ran the Women’s Movement for Peace. Formerly worked for charity ‘Kupugani’ in South Africa. Fled to the UK after being “banned” by the apartheid regime and joined the Labour Party.
Labour candidate for Woking in 1983. Contested Epsom and Ewell for Labour in 1987Freelance lecturer and consultant on cross-cultural management 1984-1992.
MP for Stevenage since 1997. Member, Modernisation Select Committee. Former Member of the International Development Select Committee. Chair, All-Party Retail Industry Group. Chair, Eastern Group of Labour MPs. Vice Chair, Parliamentary Film Group. member of Labour’s backbench Treasury Committee; Joint Secretary of the Population, Development and Reproductive Health Group; and Treasurer of the Sex Equality Group.
Co-founder of EQ. Member of the Britain in Europe Council. Founder of Emily’s List UK. Co-founder of Labour Women’s Network. Patron of Action on Pre-eclampsia. Member of the Socialist Environmental Research Association, Liberty and Charter 88
Labour Party media and communications trainer.
Helen Goodman MP
Elected member for Bishop Aukland on 5th May 2005
Educated at Somerville College, Oxford.
Married with 2 children
Chief executive National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries 2002-05
Member of Amnesty International and Christian Socialist Movement.
Chair of the Camden Cooperative party.
Former head of policy at the Children’s Society.
Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP
Solicitor General
Studied Politics at York University and qualified as a lawyer. Worked at Brent Law Centre in London, handling cases on behalf of community groups, trade unions and tenants. Worked as Legal Officer at the National Council for Civil Liberties.
Elected MP for Camberwell and Peckham in a by-election in 1982. Labour Front-bench Spokesperson for Social Services 1984. Labour Front-bench Spokesperson on Health 1987. Elected to Labour’s Shadow Cabinet and appointed Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Labour’s economic team after 1992.
Became Secretary of State for Social Security in 1997, before returning to the backbenches in 1998. Solicitor General from 2001.
Has campaigned on Child Care, Domestic Violence and Equality for Women. Chair of the Childcare Commission, which presented its findings to the Government at the end of January 2001. Chair of Southwark Early Years & Childcare Partnership.
Meg Hillier MP
Elected member for Hackney South and Shoreditch may 5th 2005.
Former mayor of Islington
GLA member for North East London 2000-04
Educated at St Hilda’s College, Oxford and City University.
Married with one son.
Former journalist.
Member of the Cooperative party.
Born 14th February 1969.
Patricia Hewitt MP
Born and brought up in Australia; educated at the Canberra Girls’ Grammar School and Newnham College, Cambridge University.
First job was working for Age Concern, before moving to the National Council for Civil Liberties. From 1983 –1989 worked with the then Leader of the Opposition Neil Kinnock first as a Press and Broadcasting Officer and then Policy Co-ordinator.
Deputy Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research (1989-94); Director of Research for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) (1994-97).
MP for Leicester West since 1997
Economic Secretary to the Treasury (1998-9); Minister for Small Business and e-Commerce at the Department of Trade and Industry (1999-2001) before becoming Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in 2001.
Married with two children. Lists hobbies as reading, theatre, music and gardening
Margaret Hodge MP
Councillor in the London Borough of Islington for over 20 years and Leader of the Council from 1982 till 1992.
From 1992-4 worked as a public sector consultant with Price Waterhouse Coopers.
MP for Barking since 1994
From 1998 to 2001 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Education and Employment with responsibility for child care, nursery education, Disabled People, Millennium Volunteers and equal opportunities in employment.
From 2001 to 2003, Minister for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education.
Currently Minister of State at the Department for Education and Skills and Minister for Children, with responsibility for any matters relating to children.
Former Chair of the Fabian Executive Committee. She is patron of several local charities. Her main areas of policy interest are Education, the reform of public services, equality issues and especially gender issues and democratic renewal.
Sharon Hodgeson MP
Member for Gateshead East and Washington West since May 5th 2005.
Political interests include Anti-social behaviour, regional regeneration (especially North East), education, employment and jobs, social inclusion, child care, transport, child poverty, trade justice/fair trade, welfare, pensions.
Sponsored by the GMB union.
Worked for UNISON Labour Link.
Married with 2 children.
Recreations include reading, cinema, cooking, shopping, travel, family
Kate Hoey MP
Born 21.06.46.
Educated at Belfast Royal Academy, Ulster College of Physical Education and City of London College.
Before entering Parliament, was educational adviser to Arsenal Football Club (1985 – 1989). Previously senior lecturer, Kingsway College (1976 – 1985).
MP for Vauxhall since by-election in 1989. Minister for Sport (1999 – 2001). Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office (1998 – 1999). PPS to Frank Field MP when he was Minister of State at Department of Social Security.
Parliamentary Candidate in Dulwich (1993 and 1987). Former Councillor for Hackney Borough Council (1978 – 1982) and Southwark Borough Council (1988 – 1989).
Member of Surrey County Cricket Club.
Speaks Portuguese.
Joan Humble MP
Born 03.03.51, Skipton, Yorkshire.
Married. Two children.
BA in History, Lancaster University.
Before entering Parliament was a Civil Servant.
MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood since 1997. Member Social Security Select Committee (1998 – 2001). Chair, Lancashire Social Services (1990 – 1997), Councillor, Lancashire County Council (1985 – 1997).
Member of the T&G, Christian Socialist Movement, Magistrates Association and the Co-operative Party.
President of Blackpool Advocacy, an organisation providing a voice for disadvantaged or disabled individuals. Former School Governor (Chair of governors for 10 years). Magistrate.
Diana Johnson MP
Member for Hull North since 5th May 2005.
Member of the Cooperative party Labour Women’s Network.
Political interests include Employment rights, health, education, animal welfare.
A barrister and member of Labour Lawyers.
Also a member fo the Fawcett Society and Amnesty International.
Former councillor and London Assembly member.
Helen Jones MP
Born 24.12.54.
Married. One child.
Educated at University College, London, Chester College, Liverpool University and Manchester Metropolitain University.
Before entering Parliament worked as a solicitor. Formerly a teacher and has also worked in the voluntary sector.
MP for Warrington North since 1997. Member of the Education and Employment Select Committee. (to 2001). Secretary Child Abduction Group 1999-2002, Secretary Cafod Group 2003-
Former councillor, Chester City Council.
Leisure interests include cooking, gardening and reading.
Lynne Jones MP
Born 26.04.51, Birmingham.
Married. Two children.
BSc and PhD in Biochemistry, University of Birmingham. Diploma in Housing Studies, Birmingham Polytechnic. Joined ASTMS (now MSF) in1972.
Before entering Parliament worked as a Research Scientist and Housing Manager.
MP for Birmingham Selly Oak since 1992. Birmingham City Councillor (1980 – 1994). Chair Housing Committee (1984 – 1987). Member Science and Technology Select Committee 1993-2001. Co-Chair of the All Party Group on Pensioner Incomes, co-Chair of the All Party Group on Mental Health, Chair of the Parliamentary Forum on Transsexualism, Member of the Advisory Council of Unions 21,
Member of MSF, CND, Liberty and Amnesty International.
Tessa Jowell MP
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Born 17.09.47, London and educated at St Margaret’s School in Aberdeen and the universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Goldsmith’s, London. Visiting fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford.
Married. Two children and three stepchildren.
Before entering Parliament was a child care officer and psychiatric social worker, Assistant Director of the mental health charity MIND and Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Community Care Programme. Governor of the National Institute of Social Work (1985 – 1997) and member of the Mental Health Act Commission (1985 – 1990).
Councillor, London Borough of Camden (1971 – 1986). Chair, Social Services Committee of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities (1978 – 1986).
MP for Dulwich and West Norwood since 1992. Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport since June 2001.
Previous Ministerial appointments include Minister of State for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities at the Department for Education and Employment (1999-2001) and Minister of State for Public Health at the Department of Health (1997-1999). Appointed Privy Counsellor in 1998.
Previous to 1997 was: Spokesperson on Health (1997-1999 and 1994-1995); Opposition Spokesperson for Women (1995-1996); and Opposition Whip (1994-1995).
Member of Friends of the Earth, Amnesty International, Royal Horticultural Society.
Sally Keeble MP
Born 13.10.51.
Married. Two children.
Before entering Parliament was a journalist and an author. Former Head of Communications for the GMB.
International Development minister 2002-03. Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions 2001-02. MP for Northampton North since 1997. PPS to Hilary Armstrong MP.
Former member of the Agriculture Select Committee. Former Chair of PLP Education and Employment Committee. Secretary of the PLP Treasury Committee. Member of Friends of the Lakes, Ramblers Association and Chair of Northampton’s Rail Users Group.
Has campaigned extensively on issues affecting women and children, including IVF treatment on the NHS, reform of rape legislation and greater controls on access to children by violent non-resident parents.
Introduced Private Member’s Bill on flooding after severe flooding in Northampton. Was on committees that steered establishment of Food Standards Agency through Parliament. Former Leader, Southwark Council.
Ann Keen MP
Born 26.11.48.
Married. Three children.
Educated at Surrey University. Registered Nurse.
Before entering Parliament was General Secretary of the Community and District Nursing Association. Former Head of Faculty of Advanced Nursing, Queen Charlotte’s College, Hammersmith Hospital.
MP for Brentford and Isleworth since 1997. PPS to Gordon Brown since June 2001. Former PPS to Frank Dobson the then Secretary of State for Health (1999). Former member, Select Committee for Health (1997 – 1999).
Member of GMB. Former Chair of Brentford Crime Prevention Panel.
Successfully amalgamated five hospital nursing schools, brought their courses into higher education at Thames Valley University.
Keen supporter of Brentford football club. Leisure interests include vegan cookery and music.
Ruth Kelly MP
Born 9th May 1968, Limavady, Northern Ireland
Married, 1 son, 3 daughters
Educated at Queen’s College Oxford; London School of Economics
Employment before entering Parliament: Deputy Head of Inflation Report Division, Bank of England (1994-1997). Economics writer, The Guardian (1990 – 1994)
Elected in 1997 Labour Member of Parliament for Bolton West
Offices Held include: 1998 – 2001 PPS to Nick Brown (Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food); 2001 - May 2002 Economic Secretary to the Treasury, May 2002 – September 2004 Financial Secretary to the Treasury; Sept 2004 –Dec 2004.
Member of AMICUS, NIESR and the Smith Institute.
Parliamentary Interests include: Economy, Employment Policy, Family Policy
Leisure Interests: Walking, Swimming, Watching Bolton Wanderers FC
Jane Kennedy MP
Minister of State for Work at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Born 04.05.58, Whitehaven, Cumbria.
Two children.
Educated at Haughton and Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington and Liverpool University.
Before entering Parliament was a trade union organiser for NUPE. Previously a care assistant for Liverpool City Council’s social service department and residential child care officer.
Elected MP for Liverpool, Wavertree in 1997. Previously MP for Liverpool Broadgreen (1992 – 1997). Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office since June 2001. Parliamentary Secretary in the Lord Chancellor’s Department (1999 – 2001).
Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury and a Member of the Administration Select Committee prior to ministerial appointment (1998 – 1999).
Opposition Whip (1995 – 1997), Assistant Government Whip (1997 – 1998). First woman and first non-lawyer to be appointed to ministerial rank in Lord Chancellor’s Department.
Fiona Mactaggart MP
Minister for the Home Office
Born 12.09.53, London.
BA (Hons) in English, Kings College London. PGCE, Goldsmiths College London. MA, Institute of Education.
Before entering Parliament was Director of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants and press officer for the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. Formerly an inner London primary teacher, a University lecturer and I have worked in a private company. Previously Chair of Liberty.
Held elected offices in the NUS and local student union. Leader of Wandsworth Council Labour Group between 1988 and 1990.
MP for Slough since 1997. Home Office minister 2003-present with responsibility for race equality, community policy and civil renewal. National Convenor, Party Chair’s Campaign Team. Chair, Parliamentary Labour Party Women’s Group. Former PPS to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Former Leader of the Opposition on Wandsworth Council.
Trustee of the David Hodge Memorial Trust.
Kerry McCarthy MP
Former director of London Luton Airport.
Member for Bristol East since 5th May 2005.
Member of the National Policy Forum and the Economic Policy Commission.
Political interests include Economic policy, international trade/aid, crime and justice, community cohesion, transport.
Lawyer. Member of the Howard League for Penal Reform, the World Development Movement and Labour Animal Welfare Society.
Recreational activities include Travel, scuba diving, F1 motor racing.
Madeleine Moon MP
Member for Brigend since 5th May 2005.
Former local government welfare and community officer.
Former national Chairwoman of the British Resorts Association.
Married with 1 son.
Also a member of Amnesty International.
Political Interests include environment, planning, partnerships.
Margaret Moran MP
Born 24.04.55, East London.
BSc (Hons) in Geography and Sociology, Birmingham University.
Before entering Parliament was first female Leader of Lewisham Council. Former Director of Housing for Women. Helped with the relocation of Millwall Football Club.
MP for Luton since 1997. PPS to Bns Morgan. Member, Information Select Committee. Former PPS to Mo Mowlam MP and to Gavin Strang MP. Former member of the Northern Ireland Select Committee and Public Adminstration Select Committee.
Member of Labour Party National Policy Forum.
Set up and chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Domestic Violence and the PLP Housing Group. Chair of the PLP Parliamentary Affairs Committee. Secretary of the PLP Northern Ireland Committee. Founded Labour’s E-futures Group.
Recipient of Government Computing Information Age Innovator of the Year Award. Sponsored Protection of Children Act. Set up Womenspeak, linking MPs with survivors of domestic violence. Contributed to legislative changes on domestic violence.
Private interests include ceilidhs, visiting historical sites, walking and eating curry.
Meg Munn MP
Born in 1959 in central Sheffield. Educated at Mundella Primary School and Rowlinson Comprehensive School and then attended York and Nottingham Universities. City Councillor in Nottingham for the period 1987 – 91. Trained as a social worker, became Assistant Director for Children’s Services at the City of York Council.
Joined the Labour Party at 15.
MP for Sheffield Heeley
PPS (Parliamentary Private Secretary) for Department for Education and Skills. June 2003 -
Committee Member for Education and Skills Select Committee. June 2001 – 2003
Member of the Co-operative Party and sponsored MP.
Speaks fluent French and German and conversational Italian, member of the Methodist Church.
Bridget Prentice MP
Born on 28th December 1952.
Attended Our Lady and St Francis School, Glasgow, then the University of Glasgow (MA English Literature and Modern History); University of London (Postgraduate Certification in Education); and South Bank University (LLB).
Started career as the Rector’s Assessor at Glasgow University (1972-3); became a teacher at London Oratory School (1974-86), and became Head of Careers (1984-86). Head of Careers between 1986-88 for John Archer School.
Contested Croydon Central in 1987, and became Member of Parliament for Lewisham East on 9th April 1992.
Appointed as a Government Whip in 1997. Formerly Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Minister for Trade (1998-99), PPS to the Lord Chancellor (1999-2001) and Member of the Home Affairs Select Committee (2001-2003). Rejoined the government in 2003 after being appointed to the Government Whips Office.
Special interests in government include Home Affairs, Legal Reform, Education, Human Rights and Constitutional Reform.
Joan Ryan MP
Born 08.09.55, Warrington.
Two children.
BA (Hons) in Sociology and History, City of Liverpool College of Higher Education. MSc, South Bank Polytechnic.
Before entering Parliament, worked as a teacher with the 16-19 age group at a sixth-form college in Hammersmith.
MP for Enfield North since 1997. Assistant government whip 2002-date PPS to Andrew Smith 1998-02. Former leader of Barnet Council.
Member of NUT and MSF.
Rt Hon Clare Short MP
Born 15.02.46, Birmingham
Widow. One child.
Educated St Paul’s Grammar School, Birmingham. BA (Hons) Political Science, Leeds University.
Before entering Director, Youthaid and the Unemployment Unit (1978 – 1983). Director All Faiths for One Race, Birmingham (1975 – 1976). Civil Servant, Home Office (1970 – 1975).
MP for Birmingham Ladywood since 1983. Secretary of State for International Development (1997 – 2003). Opposition Front Bench Spokesperson on a number of areas (1992 – 1997). Chair of the All-Party Group on Race Relations from 1985-1986.
Chair of the NEC Women’s Committee from 1993-1996, member of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) from 1988-1997.
Member of UNISON. Associate of Oxford Research Group since 2004. Member of Helsinki Process on Globalisation and Democracy, member of International Advisory Board, Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces.
Author of An Honourable Deception? New Labour, Iraq, and the Misuse of Power
Angela Smith MP
Born 07.01.59.
Educated at Chalvedon School, Pitsea, Basildon and Leicester Polytechnic and holds a BA (Hons) in Public Administration.
County Councillor for Basildon, Pitsea 1989-1997, Chief Whip of Labour Group 1991-1995, Labour lead on Fire and Public Protection Committee 1992-1996 and a Member of the Policy and Resources Committee 1992-1996. Former Research Officer to Alun Michael MP, Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and the Voluntary Sector from 1995 to May 1997.
Former Head of Political Affairs at League Against Cruel Sports.
MP for Basildon since 1997. Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Assistant Whip June 2001 – October 2002. Previously PPS to Paul Boateng MP.
Main leisure pursuits are supporting Basildon Rugby Club, watching Coronation Street. reading political biographies and plays by Oscar Wilde.
Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP
Minister of State at the Department for Trade and Industry
Born 03.11.62.
Married with two children.
Graduate of Hertford College, Oxford University
Before entering Parliament as an MP for Redditch in 1997 was a teacher of economics and business studies at Arrow Vale High School in Redditch. became Head of Economics at Haybridge High School in Hagley before the General Election in 1997.
Trade and Industry minister and deputy minister for women 2003-. Health minister 2001-03. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Education and Employment 1999 – 2001.
School Governor. Member of the Treasury Select Committee (1998 – 1999). Formerly a Councillor on Redditch Borough Council (1991 – 1997).
Helen Southworth MP
Born 13.11.56, Lancashire.
Married. One son.
BA from Lancaster University.
Before entering Parliament worked as a Charity Chief Executive and a Health Authority non-executive director.
Member for Warrington South since 1997. PPS to Paul Boateng MP. Member of the Trade and Industry Select Committee (1998 – date). Member of the Procedures select committee (1997 -1999). St Helens Borough Council (1994 – 1998).
18 years working in the voluntary sector addressing social deprivation and disability.
Main leisure interests include family, gardening, painting and walking the dog.
Dr Phyllis Starkey MP
Born 04.01.47, United Kingdom.
Married. Two daughters.
BA in Biochemistry, Oxford University. PhD, Cambridge University.
Science policy expert. Before entering Parliament worked as a scientist both in medical research and as lecturer in obstetrics at University of Oxford. Also, Naitonal Chair of the Local Government Unit (1993 – 1997).
MP for Milton Keynes South West since 1997. PPS to Denis MacShane. Vice Chair, South East Group.
Member of Foreign Affairs Select Committee (1999 – 2001). Former Member of Select Committee on Modernisation of House of Commons (1997 – 1999). Chair, All-Party Britain-Palestine Parliamentary Group.
Oxford City Councillor (1983 – 1997), Council Leader (1990 – 1993). Chair of Local Government Information Unit (1993 – 1997). Helped to safeguard the future of Bletchley Park. Actively contributed to modernisation of House of Commons procedures.
Main leisure pursuits include gardening and walking.
Gisela Stuart MP
Born 1955; two sons.
Educated at Realschule Vilsbiburg; Manchester Polytechnic (Business Studies); London University (LLB).
Deputy Director of London Book Fair (1982); Translator; Law Lecturer at Worcester College of Technology; Researcher into pensions law at Birmingham University.
Contested Worcester and South Warwickshire in 1994 European Elections. Elected to represent Birmingham Edgbaston on 1 May 1997.
Member of House of Commons Social Security Select Committee 1997–98. PPS to Paul Boateng MP (Minister of State for the Home Office) 1998. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health July 1999 – June 2001. Member of Foreign Affairs Committee July 2001.
Presidium Member and UK Parliamentary Representative on Convention for Future of Europe
Interests include Pensions (particularly provision for women), Constitutional reform and Criminal Justice system.
Dari Taylor MP
Born 13.12.44.
Married. One daughter.
MA, Durham University. BA, Nottingham University.
Prior to entering Parliament in 1997, worked as a lecturer and as Education Officer for the GMB.
PPS to Defence Ministerial Team. Member of Defence Select Committee (1997 – 1999). Treasurer of All-Party Groups on Adoption, Breast Cancer, Opera, Chemicals and All Cancers. Vice Chair of PLP Women’s Group.`
Member of GMB. Vice Chair of Labour Women’s forum.
Founder member of ‘Bridge’ training project in 1984, Washington New Town, now getting 200 women into colleges of Further Education many of whom access Higher Education,
Sings in the Parliamentary Choir.
Emily Thornberry MP
Member for Islington South and Finsbury since 5th May 2005.
Born 27th July 1960.
Educated at the University of Kent.
Barrister
Also member of Society of Labour Lawyers, Friends of the Earth, and Family of Shiraz Miah.
Married with 2 children.
She joined the Labour Party at 17 and is a long-time grassroots activist, and a member of the Transport and General Workers’ Union.
She has complained of sex discrimination at the Bar, and says she was one refused a place in chambers on account of her gender; but is a firm supporter, and beneficiary, of women-only selection.
Kitty Ussher MP
Member for Burnley since May 5th 2005.
Political interests include Economic policy, industrial policy, regional policy.
Former special advisor to Patricia Hewitt.
A professional Economist.
Publications include Spectre of Tax Harmonisation?, Centre for European Reform 2000
Born 18th March 1971.
Joan Walley MP
Born 23.01.49, Congleton, Cheshire.
Married. Two children.
BA (Hons) in Social Adminstration, Hull University. Post-graduate diploma, University College of Wales, Swansea.
Before entering Parliament was a local government official in Wandsworth and Swansea.
MP for Stoke on Trent North since 1987. Member, Environment Audit Select Committee.
Member of Globe UK, Vice-President, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
Opposition spokesperson on transport (1990 – 1995) and on the environment (1989 – 1990).
Vice Chair of All-Party Football Group.
Claire Ward MP
Born 09.05.72, North Shields.
LLB, University of Hertfordshire. MA, Brunel University. Qualified solicitor.
Councillor, Elstree and Boreham Wood Town Council (1994-1998), Civic Mayor (1996-1997). Youth Representative on the NEC (1991-1995).
MP for Watford since 1997 just before 25th birthday. PPS to John Hutton MP. Member, Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee (to 2001).
Member of the Fabian Society, the Co-operative Society, Society of Labour Lawyers and the T&G. Season ticket holder at Watford Football Club.
Chair/Secretary of the All-Party Youth Affairs Group as well as being Chair of the All-Party Chocolate and Confectionary Industry Group. Member of the Parliamentary football team.
