Women  in  Power  A-­Z  of  Female  Members  of  the  

The  House  of  Commons  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labour  MPs    

Diane  Abbott  

 

Diane  Abbott  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1987,  making  her  the  first  black  woman  to  sit  in  Parliament.    She  was  appointed  Shadow  Public  Health  Minister   in  2010,  securing  herself  a  position  on  the  party  front  benches  for  the  first   time   in   her   career.   Abbott’s   selection   for   this   role   came   about   partly   as   a  result  of  her  raised  profile   following  the  2010  Labour  Party   leadership  contest.  She   surprised   the   party   by   joining   the   race   after   criticising   the   apparent  similarity   of   the   existing  white,  male   nominees.   Prior   to   this,   Abbott  was   best  known   as   a   left-­‐wing   backbencher,   critical   of   numerous   government   policies.  Rarely   shying   from   controversy,   Abbott   aroused  much   criticism   in   2003  when  she   decided   to   send   her   son   to   a   fee-­‐paying   school   despite   having   previously  criticised  colleagues  who  had  chosen  selective  state  schools  for  their  children.  

Abbott’s   public   profile   has   been   further   raised   by   her   engagement   with   the  media.   She  has   appeared   regularly   on   the  political   discussion  programme  This  Week,  alongside  former  Conservative  minister  Michael  Portillo.  

Before   becoming   an   MP,   Abbott   was   a   journalist   and   race   relations   officer,  working   for   Thames   Television,   TV-­‐AM   and   the   National   Council   for   Civil  Liberties.  Abbott  was  born  in  1953  and  graduated  from  Cambridge  University  in  1976.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heidi  Alexander  

 

Heidi   Alexander  was   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   2010   as   the  MP   for  Lewisham   East.   She   cites   her   interests   as   housing   and   local   government,   and  currently  sits  on  the  Select  Committee  for  Communities  and  Local  Government.  

Before  entering  parliament,  Alexander  spent  six  years  as  a  Labour  Councillor  on  Lewisham   Council.   Between   2006   and   2010,   she  was   both   Deputy  Mayor   and    Cabinet   Member   for   Regeneration.   During   her   time   as   a   councillor,   Alexander  was   also   Director   and   Chair   of   Greater   London   Enterprise,   and   Director   of  Lewisham   Schools   for   the   Future.   Until   2005   she   worked   as   a   parliamentary  assistant  to  Joan  Ruddock  MP.  She  gained  this  position  in  1999  after  graduating  from   Durham   University   with   a   Masters   in   European   Urban   and   Regional  Change.  Alexander  was  born  in  1975.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rushanara  Ali  

 

Rushanara   Ali   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   as   the   MP   for  Bethnal  Green  and  Bow,  becoming  the  first  Bangladesh-­‐born  MP.  Since  2010,  she  has  been  Shadow  Minister  for  International  Development.  

Ali  has  received  considerable  media  attention,  singled  out  as  an  example  of  the  new  generation  of  politicians  to  watch.  The  Guardian,  for  example,  named  her  as  one  of  the  most  powerful  Muslim  women  in  Britain  in  2009.  Since  2005  she  has  been   associate   director   of   the   Young   Foundation   and   has   chaired   the   Tower  Hamlets   Summer   University,   as   well   as   sitting   on   the   London   Child   Poverty  Commission   and   various   other   public   bodies.   She   is   also   a   prolific   writer,  producing   articles   for   various   left-­‐wing   publications.   Between   1999   and   2005,  she  worked  for  centre-­‐left  think-­‐tank  the  Institute  of  Public  Policy  Research,  and  for   both   the   Foreign   and   Home   Office,   on   projects   connected   with   race   and  discrimination.   Before   that,   she   worked   for   two   years   as   a   parliamentary  assistant  to  former  Labour  MP  Oona  King.  Ali  graduated  from  Oxford  University  in  1996  with  a  degree  in  Politics,  Philosophy  and  Economics.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margaret  Beckett  

 

Margaret  Beckett  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1974  as  the  MP  for  Lincoln,  but  lost  her  seat  at  the  1979  General  Election.  She  was  re-­‐elected  in    Derby  South  in  1983  and  has  represented  the  constituency  ever  since.  Beckett  is  a   well-­‐established   Labour   figure,   and   the   only   woman   to   have   remained   in  Cabinet   throughout   the   Blair   years.   Her   long   and   varied   career   has   included  spells   as   the   UK’s   first   female   Foreign   Secretary   and   as   interim   Leader   of   the  Labour  Party.  

Beckett  was   last   in  Cabinet  as  Minister   for  Housing  and  Planning,  an  office  she  held  between  2008  and  2009.  Prior  to  that,  she  spent  a  year  as  Foreign  Secretary  (2006-­‐2007)  and  five  years  as  Secretary  of  State  for  the  

Environment,   Food   and   Rural   Affairs   (2001-­‐06).   Between   1998   and   2001  Beckett  was  both  President  of  the  Council  and  Leader  of  the  House  of  Commons.  She  spent  the  previous  year  as  Secretary  of  State  for  Trade  and  Industry.  Beckett  held   several   frontbench   posts   during   Labour’s   lengthy   period   in   opposition,  spending   time   as   Shadow   President   of   the   Board   of   Trade   (1995-­‐98)   and   as  Shadow  Health   Secretary   (1994-­‐95).  After   John   Smith’s   death   in  1994,  Beckett  was  briefly  made  Party  Leader,  having  been  elected  as  Deputy  Leader  two  years  earlier.   Beckett   has   also   served   as   Shadow   Chief   Secretary   to   the   Treasury  (1989-­‐92)  and  Shadow  Social  Security  Minister  (1984-­‐89).  She  quickly  ascended  the  party  ranks  during  her  first  term  in  Parliament,  securing  the  roles  of  Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   at   the   Department   of   Education   and   Science   (1976-­‐79)   and  Assistant  Government  Whip  (1975-­‐76).  

Beckett  is  an  industrial  and  academic  metallurgist  by  training,  and  has  a  strong  leftist  union  background.  Her  time  outside  parliament  was  spent  working  as  an  industrial  policy   researcher   for   the  Labour  Party   (1970-­‐74)  and  at  Manchester  University’s  Department  of  Metallurgy  (1966-­‐70).  Beckett  was  born  in  1943.  

 

 

 

 

Anne  Begg  

 

Anne  Begg  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1997  and  is  the  MP  for  Aberdeen   South.   From   2006   to   2010,   she   was   Vice-­‐chair   of   the   Labour   Party  National  Policy  Forum.  Begg  has  Gaucher’s  disease,  which  causes  her  bones  to  be  soft   and   prone   to   fracture,   forcing   her   to   use   a  wheelchair.   Her   experience   of  disability   has   shaped   her   political   interests   in  welfare   reform,   social   inclusion  and  genetics.  She  is  currently  Chair  of  the  Work  and  Pensions  Select  Committee.  

Before  entering  parliament,  Begg  was  an  English  and  history  teacher.  She  had  to  fight  the  Scottish  General  Teaching  Council  for  three  years  before  being  allowed  to  teach,  due  to  its  ban  on  teachers  in  wheelchairs.  In  1988  she  was  awarded  the  title   of  Disabled  Scot  of   the  Year   in   recognition  of  her  work.  Begg  was  born   in  1955  and  studied  at  Aberdeen  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luciana  Berger  

 

Luciana   Berger   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   as   the   MP   for  Liverpool  Wavertree.  She  is  currently  Shadow  Minister  for  Climate  Change.  

Before  entering  parliament,  Berger  was  director  of  Labour  Friends  of  Israel  and  sat  on  the  steering  group  of  the  London  Jewish  Forum.  She  was  also  anti-­‐racism  co-­‐ordinator  of  the  National  Union  of  Students,  but  resigned  in  2005  claiming  the  union  leadership  was  turning  a  blind  eye  to  anti-­‐semitism.  Berger  has  worked  in  public  affairs  and  consultancy,  most  recently  for  the  NHS  Confederation.  Prior  to  this,  she  was  a  management  consultant  at  Accenture,  a  position  she  gained  after  completing   an   Masters   in   government   at   the   University   of   London   in   2005.  Berger  was  born  in  1982.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roberta  Blackman-­Woods  

 

Roberta   Blackman-­‐Woods  was   first   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   2005  and   is   the  MP   for   the   City   of   Durham.   She   is   currently   a   Shadow  Minister   for  Communities  and  Local  Government,  having  previously  been  a  Shadow  Minister  for   the   Cabinet   Office.   Blackman-­‐Woods   has   been   Parliamentary   Private  Secretary  to  several  Ministers,  most  recently  working  with  David  Lammy  whilst  he   was   Minister   for   Universities,   Business,   Innovation   and   Skills   (2008-­‐10).  During   this   time,   Blackman-­‐Woods   was   also   Parliamentary   assistant   to   Nick  Brown,  Minister  for  the  North  East.  Prior  to  that,  she  was  PPS  to  Des  Browne  as  Secretary  of  State  for  Defence  (2007-­‐08)  and  to  Hilary  Armstrong,  Chancellor  of  the  Duchy  of  Lancaster  (2006-­‐07).  

Blackman-­‐Woods  is  an  academic,  specialising  in  labour  studies  and  social  policy.  Before  entering  Parliament  she  spent   five  years  as  Professor  of  Social  Policy  at  Northumbria   University.   Between   1995   and   2000,   Blackman-­‐Woods   taught   at  the  trade  union  run  Ruskin  College  in  Oxford.  During  this  time  she  was  elected  to  Oxford  City  Council,  where  she  spent   three  years  as  head  of  policy   in   the  Local  Government   Information   Unit.   Blackman-­‐Woods   has   also   taught   at   Ulster   and  Newcastle   Universities,   and   between   1982   and   1985   sat   on   Newcastle   City  Council.  She  was  born  in  1957  and  holds  a  PhD  from  Ulster  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hazel  Blears  

 

Hazel   Blears   was   first   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   1997   as   MP   for  Salford.   The   boundaries   of   her   constituency   were   changed   before   the   2010  election  and  she  now  represents  Salford  and  Eccles.  Blears  has  been  subject   to  criticism  in  recent  years,  both  over  her  decision  to  resign  from  the  Cabinet  on  the  eve  of   the  2009   local  and  European  elections,  and   for  her   failure   to  pay  capital  gains  tax  on  her  second  home.  Before  her  shock  exit,  Blears  spent  two  years  as  Secretary  of   State   for  Communities  and  Local  Government.  Previously,   she  had  been   a  Minister   without   Portfolio   (2006-­‐07)   and   had   spent   time   at   the   Home  Office,   where   her   portfolio   included   crime   reduction,   policing   and   community  safety  (2003-­‐06).  Between  2001  and  2003  Blears  was  a   junior  Health  Minister,  and  before   that  was  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary   to  Alan  Milburn  whilst  he  was  Chief  Secretary  at  the  Treasury  (1999)  and  Health  Minister  (1998).  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Blears   worked   as   a   solicitor,   largely   for   local  authorities.    She  was  a  Salford  councillor  for  eight  years  and  a  branch  secretary  of  UNISON.  Blears  was  born  in  1956  and  studied  at  Nottingham  Trent  University  and  Chester  College  of  Law.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lyn  Brown  

 

Lyn   Brown  was   first   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   2005   and   is  MP   for  West  Ham.  She  cites  her  political  interests  as  poverty,  housing,  local  government,  sexual  health  and  foreign  affairs.  She  has  been  a  party  Whip  since  October  2010,  and  served  as  an  Assistant  Government  Whip  between  2009  and  2010.  She  spent  the   previous   two   years   as   Parliamentary   Private   Secretary   to   John   Denham,  Secretary  of  State  for  Innovations,  Universities  and  Skills  (2007-­‐09),  and  prior  to  that  was  PPS   to  Phil  Woolas,  Minister   at   the  Department   for  Communities   and  Local  Government  (2006-­‐07).  

Before   her   election   to   Parliament,   Brown  worked   in   the   local   government   and  voluntary  sector.  She  spent  seventeen  years  on  Newham  Borough  Council,  where  she  was  especially  involved  with  cultural  and  leisure  services.  During  this  time,  Brown  was   also   equalities   officer   for   the   nearby   London   Borough   of  Waltham  Forest.   Brown   was   born   in   1960   and   has   a   degree   in   English   and   Religious  Studies  from  Whitelands  College,  Roehampton.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen  Buck  

 

Karen   Buck   was   first   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   1997   as   MP   for  Regent’s  Park  and  Kensington  North.  She  moved  constituency  in  2010  and  is  now  MP   for   Westminster   North.   Buck   is   a   Shadow   Minister   for   Education,   having  previously  been  a   Shadow  Minister   in   the  Department   for  Work   and  Pensions.  She   cites   her   political   interests   as   housing,   urban   regeneration,   health   care,  welfare   and   asylum.   Between   2008   and   2010,   she   served   as   Parliamentary  Private   Secretary   to   Tony  McNulty,   then  Minister   for   London   and,   before   that,  was  a  Junior  Minister  at  the  Department  for  Transport  (2005-­‐06).  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Buck  was  a  full  time  Labour  Party  worker.  She  was  Campaign  Strategy  Co-­‐ordinator  between  1992  and  1997  and  spent  seven  years  as  a  Westminster  Councillor  (1990-­‐97).  She  had  previously  spent  several  years  working   for   Hackney   Council   as   a   public   health   and   employment   officer,   and  prior   to   that   was   a   research   and   development   worker   for   Outset,   a   charity  specialising  in  employment  for  disabled  people  (1979-­‐83).  Buck  was  educated  at  the  London  School  of  Economics  and  has  Masters  degrees  in  both  Economics  and  Social  Policy.  She  was  born  in  1958.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenny  Chapman  

 

Jenny  Chapman  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  Darlington.   She   cites   her   political   interests   as   children,   families,   employment,  transport   and   the   economy,   and   since   2011   has   been   Shadow   Minister   for  Justice.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Chapman   was   a   local   councillor   (2007-­‐10)   and  researcher  to  her  predecessor  as  MP  for  Darlington,  Alan  Milburn.  She  has  also  worked  as  a  prison  psychologist,  entering  the  profession  after  studying  at  Brunel  and  Durham  Universities.  Chapman  was  born  in  1973.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katy  Clark  

 

Katy   Clark  was   first   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2005   and   is   MP   for  North  Ayrshire   and  Arran.   She   is   Secretary  of   the  Labour  Civil   Liberties  Group  and   is   especially   interested   in   policy   development,   equality   and   human   rights.  She  has  positioned  herself  on  the  left-­‐wing  of  the  party  and  is  a  member  of  the  Socialist  Campaign  Group  and  the  Scottish  Labour  Party  Campaign  for  Socialism.  She  is  currently  a  member  of  the  Chairmen’s  Panel  and  of  the  Select  Committees  for  Environmental  Audit  and  Business,  Innovation  and  Skills.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Clark  spent  seven  years  as  a  trade  union  legal  officer  for  UNISON.   Prior   to   this,   she  worked   as   a   solicitor,   having   studied   law   at   the  Universities  of  Aberdeen  and  Edinburgh.  Clark  was  born  in  1967.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann  Clwyd  

 

Ann  Clwyd  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  a  1984  by-­‐election  and  is   MP   for   Cynon   Valley.   She   cites   her   political   interests   as   human   rights,  international   development   and   trade   and   industry.   Clwyd   was   Chair   of   the  Parliamentary  Labour  Party  between  2005  and  2006,  and  Vice-­‐Chair  during  the  four   preceding   years.   She   was   also   a   Special   Envoy   to   Iraq   during   this   time,  appointed   to   the   post   in   recognition   of   her   long-­‐held   interest   in   Iraqi   human  rights   issues.   Clwyd   has   supported   the   war,   her   stance   shaped   by   her  chairmanship   of   CARDRI,   a   campaign   against   repression   and   for   democratic  rights   in   the   country,   and   INDICT,   an   organisation  which   sought   to   bring   Iraqi  war   criminals   to   trial.   She   has   previously   held   frontbench   positions   as  Spokesperson   for   Foreign   Affairs   (1994-­‐95),   Spokesperson   for   Employment  (1993-­‐94),   Shadow   Secretary   of   State   for   Wales   (1992),   Shadow   Secretary   of  State   for  Overseas  Development   (1989-­‐92)  and  Shadow  Minister   for  Education  and  Women’s  Rights  (1987-­‐88).  She   is  a  vocal   left-­‐winger  and  has  won  awards  from  Channel  Four  and  the  House  Magazine  for  her  campaigning.  

Before   entering   parliament,   Clywd   worked   as   a   journalist,   and   was   Welsh  correspondent   for   the   Guardian   and   Observer   newspapers   between   1964   and  1979.  Clywd  was  born  in  1937  and  holds  a  degree  from  the  University  of  Bangor.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann  Coffey  

 

Ann   Coffey  was   first   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   1992   and   is  MP   for  Stockport.   She   cites   her   political   interests   as   children,   health,   education   and  community   development.   Coffey   spent   twelve   years   as   Parliamentary   Private  Secretary  to  Alistair  Darling,  aiding  him  during  his  time  as  Chancellor  (2007-­‐10)  and   whilst   he   was   at   the   Departments   of   Trade   and   Industry   (2006-­‐07),  Transport   (2002-­‐06)   and   Work   and   Pensions   (1998-­‐2002).   Coffey   had  previously  acted  as  one  of  Tony  Blair’s  Parliamentary  Private  Secretaries.  Prior  to   this,   she  was   the  Opposition  Spokesperson  on  Health   (1996-­‐97)  and  a  Whip  (1995-­‐96).  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Coffey   was   a   social   worker   team   leader   with  responsibility  for  adoption  and  fostering.  She  also  spent  eight  years  on  Stockport  Council,   leading  the  Labour  Group  between  1988  and  1992.  Coffey  was  born  in  1946  and  studied  at  London  South  Bank  and  Manchester  Universities.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yvette  Cooper  

 

Yvette  Cooper  was  first  elected  in  1997  as  MP  for  Pontefract  and  Castleford.  The  boundaries   of   her   constituency  were   changed   in   2010   and   she   is   now  MP   for  Normanton,   Pontefract   and   Castleford.   Cooper   has   held   several   important  Cabinet  posts,  and  was  tipped  as  a  potential  candidate  for  the  party  leadership.  She   chose   not   to   stand,   citing   childcare   commitments   as   the   reason   for   her  decision.  Cooper   is  currently  Shadow  Home  Secretary.  From  2010  to  2011,  she  held  two  frontbench  positions,  serving  as  Shadow  Foreign  Secretary  and  Shadow  Minister  for  Women  and  Equalities.  Whilst  in  government,  she  was  Secretary  of  State  for  Work  and  Pensions  (2009-­‐10).  In  2008  she  became  the  first  woman  to  assume  the  role  of  Chief  Secretary  to  the  Treasury,  and  during  the  previous  year  she   worked   as   Minister   for   Housing   and   Planning   (2005-­‐08).   Prior   to   this,  Cooper  was  an  Under-­‐Secretary  of  State  at  the  Department  for  Communities  and  Local  Government  (2003-­‐05),  and  at  the  Department  of  Health  (1999-­‐2002).  

Before  entering  parliament,  Cooper  was  economics  editor  and  columnist  for  the  Independent.   She   has   also   been   a   policy   adviser   to   John   Smith,   Gordon  Brown  and  Bill   Clinton,  who   she  worked  with  during  his   1992  presidential   campaign.  Cooper  has  studied  at  Oxford,  Harvard  and  the  London  School  of  Economics.  She  was  born  in  1969.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosie  Cooper  

 

Rosie  Cooper  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2005  and  is  MP  for  West  Lancashire.  She  cites  her  political  interests  as  health,  disability  equality  and  housing,   and   is   currently   on   the   Select   Committees   for   Health   and   for  Administration.   Cooper   has   spent   several   years   as   a   Parliamentary   Private  Secretary,   most   recently   aiding   Ben   Bradshaw   at   the   Department   of   Culture,  Media   and   Sport   (2009-­‐10)   and   at   the   Department   for   Health   (2007-­‐09).  Between  2006  and  2007,  Cooper  was  PPS  to  Lord  Rooker,  Minister  of  State  at  the  Department  for  Environment,  Food  and  Rural  Affairs.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Cooper   spent   four   years   as   a   director   at   the  Merseyside  Centre   for  Deaf  People.   She  had  previously  worked   for   the   retailer  Littlewoods.  Cooper  spent  twenty-­‐eight  years  as  a  Liverpool  City  Councillor,  first  gaining   a   seat   in   1972.   She   was   a   Liberal   Democrat   until   2000,   switching   to  Labour   after   becoming   disillusioned   with   the   way   the   Liberal   Democrats  exercised  power  in  Liverpool.  She  was  also  the  Lord  Mayor  of  Liverpool  between  1992   and   1993.   Cooper   was   born   in   1950   and   attended   the   University   of  Liverpool.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary  Creagh  

 

Mary  Creagh  was   first  elected  to   the  House  of  Commons   in  2005  and   is  MP  for  Wakefield.  She  was  made  Shadow  Secretary  of  State  for  the  Environment,  Food  and   Rural   Affairs   in   2010,   after   placing   in   the   top   twenty   in   Labour’s   Shadow  Cabinet  elections.  Prior  to  this,  she  briefly  served  as  Shadow  Health  Minister  and  as  an  Assistant  Whip  (2009-­‐10).  She  had  previously  been  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary   to   Andy   Burnham   at   the   Department   of   Culture,   Media   and   Sport  (2008-­‐09),  the  Treasury  (2007-­‐08)  and  the  Department  of  Health.  During  2006,  Creagh  was  PPS  to  Lord  Warner,  Minster  of  State  at  the  Department  of  Health.  

Prior   to   entering   Parliament,   Creagh   was   a   lecturer   in   entrepreneurship   at  Cranfield   School   of   Management   (1997-­‐2005),   a   position   she   took   up   after  completing  a  Masters  degree  at  the  London  School  of  Economics.  She  also  spent  seven  years  on   Islington  Council,   leading   the  Labour  Group  between  2000  and  2004.   Before   that,   she   worked   as   a   press   officer   for   the   London   Enterprise  Agency.   Between   1991   and   1995,   Creagh   lived   in   Brussels,   working   for   the  Socialist  group,  as  a   research  assistant   to  Stephen  Hughes  MEP,  and  as  a  press  officer   for   the   European   Youth   Forum.   Creagh   was   born   in   1967   and   studied  modern  languages  at  Oxford  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stella  Creasy  

 

Stella   Creasy   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   and   is   MP   for  Walthamstow.  She  is  currently  Shadow  Minister  for  Crime  Prevention.    

Prior   to   entering   Parliament,   Creasy   was   Head   of   Public   Affairs   at   the   Scout  Association  and  had  been  a  member  of  Waltham  Council  for  eight  years.  Before  joining  the  Scout  Association,  she  was  deputy  director  at  Involve,  an  organisation  concerned   with   finding   ways   to   revitalize   British   democracy.   Creasy   has   also  worked  as  a  parliamentary  researcher  to  Douglas  Alexander  MP,  Charles  Clarke  MP   and   Ross   Cranston   MP.   She   was   born   in   1977   and   holds   a   degree   from  Cambridge  University  and  a  Doctorate  from  the  London  School  of  Economics.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margaret  Curran  

 

Margaret  Curran  was   elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  2010  as   the  MP   for  Glasgow  East.  She  won  the  seat  only  two  years  after  a  by-­‐election  had  wiped  out  Labour’s   previously   strong  majority   and   returned   an   SNP   candidate.   Curran   is  currently   Shadow   Secretary   of   State   for   Scotland,   having   previously   been  appointed  to  the  shadow  Department  for  Work  and  Pensions.  She  cites  her  policy  interests   as   social   inclusion,  women’s   issues,   neighbourhood   regeneration   and  housing.  

Curran   is   also   a   member   of   the   Scottish   Parliament,   and   has   represented   the  Glasgow   Baillieston   constituency   for   the   last   eleven   years.   She   has   held  numerous   frontbench   positions   whilst   an   MSP,   most   recently   as   Shadow  Secretary   for   Health   and   Wellbeing   (2007-­‐08).   Curran   has   previously   been  Shadow   Secretary   for   Justice   (2007),   and  Minister   for   Parliamentary   Business  (2004-­‐07),   for   Communities   (2003-­‐04),   and   for   Social   Justice   (2002-­‐03).  Between  1999  and  2002  she  was  Deputy  Minister  for  Social  Justice  and  Deputy  Whip.   Before   becoming   an   MSP,   Curran   spent   ten   years   as   a   lecturer   in  community   education   at   Strathclyde   University,   and   seven   years   as   a   welfare  rights   and   community   worker.   She   was   born   in   1958   and   studied   history   at  Glasgow  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gloria  De  Piero  

 

Gloria   De   Piero  was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   and   is  MP   for  Ashfield.   She   is   currently   Shadow   Minister   for   Crime   Prevention,   having  previously  been  appointed  to  the  shadow  Culture,  Media  and  Sport  team.  

Prior   to  entering  parliament,  De  Piero  was  well-­‐known   for  her   role  as  political  correspondent  on  the  morning  television  show,  GMTV.  Before  joining  GMTV,  she  was  a  researcher  at  both  ITV  and  the  BBC,  working  on  The  Politics  Show,  On  the  Record  and  Radio  4′s  Westminster  Hour.  De  Piero  has  a  Masters  from  Birkbeck  College  and  a  degree  from  the  University  of  Central  England,  where  she  was  also  president  of  the  student  union.  She  was  born  in  1972.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gemma  Doyle  

 

Gemma  Doyle  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  West   Dunbartonshire.   She   is   a   shadow   junior   Defence   Minister.   Doyle’s   other  policy  interests  include  employment,  public  services  and  the  elderly.  

Before   entering  Parliament,  Doyle  worked  as   a  political   adviser   to   the  Scottish  Labour  MPs’  group,  and  as  a  conference  manager  at  the  Institute  of  Mechanical  Engineers.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angela  Eagle  

 

 Angela  Eagle  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1992  and  is  MP  for  Wallasey.  Since  2011,  she  has  been  Shadow  Leader  of  the  House  of  Commons.  In  2010,  she  was  made  Shadow  Chief  Secretary  to  the  Treasury,  after  coming  third  in   Labour’s   Shadow   Cabinet   elections.   Eagle   is   also   Vice-­‐Chair   of   the  Parliamentary   Labour   Party.     She   has   held   numerous   government   positions   in  recent  years,  working  at  the  Department  for  Work  and  Pensions  as  Minister  for  Pensions   and   the   Ageing   Society   (2009-­‐10)   and   at   the   Treasury   as   Exchequer  Secretary   (2007-­‐09).   Eagle   spent   the   period   between   2002   and   2007   on   the  backbenches.   During   the   previous   five   years   she   worked   as   Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   at   the   Home   Office   (2001-­‐02),   Department   of   Social  Security   (1998-­‐2001)   and   Department   of   the   Environment,   Transport   and   the  Regions   (1997-­‐98).   Eagle  was   an   Opposition  Whip   between   1996   and   97.   She  came   out   as   a   lesbian   in   1997,   the   first   female   MP   to   do   so   since   Maureen  Colquhoun  in  the  1970s.  

Between  1984  and  1992,  Eagle  worked  as  a  press  officer  and  researcher  for  the  health  services  union  COHSE.  In  1991  she  also  chaired  the  National  Conference  of   Labour   Women.   Eagle   was   born   in   1961   and   graduated   from   Oxford  University  in  1983.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maria  Eagle  

 

Maria   Eagle   was   first   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   1997   as   MP   for  Liverpool  Garston.  The  boundaries  of  her  constituency  changed  before  the  2010  election,  and  Eagle  is  now  MP  for  Garston  and  Halewood.  She  was  made  Shadow  Secretary   of   State   for   Transport   in   2010,   after   placing   in   the   top   twenty   in  Labour’s  Shadow  Cabinet  election.  Prior  to  this,  Eagle  briefly  served  as  Shadow  Solicitor  General  and  Shadow  Minister  for  Justice.  She  worked  at  the  Ministry  of  Justice   between   2007   and   2010,   latterly   as   Deputy   Minister   for   Women   and  Equality,   and  before   that   as   a   Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary   of   State.   Prior   to  that,  she  was  Under-­‐Secretary  of  State  at  the  Northern  Ireland  Office  (2006-­‐07),  Department   for  Education  and  Skills   (2005-­‐06),   and  Department   for  Work  and  Pensions   (2001-­‐05).   Between   1999   and   2001   she   was   Parliamentary   Private  Secretary  to  John  Hutton  at  the  Department  of  Health.  

Before   entering   parliament,   Eagle   worked   as   a   solicitor.   She   specialised   in  housing   law,   and   came   into   conflict  with   numerous   Liverpool   councillors   after  encouraging  her   clients   to   sue   the   council   over  housing   repairs.  Eagle  has   also  held  several  party  posts,  working  as  a  campaign  organiser,  Constituency  Labour  Party   Secretary   and  press  officer.   Eagle  was  born   in  1961  and  graduated   from  Oxford  University  in  1983.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julie  Elliott  

 

Julie   Elliott   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   and   is   MP   for  Sunderland   Central.   She   cites   her   political   interests   as   employment   and   skills,  regeneration,  health  inequalities  and  education,  and  is  currently  a  member  of  the  Select  Committee  for  Business,  Innovation  and  Skills.  

Elliott  has  worked  for  the  GMB  trade  union  since  1999,  and  retains  responsibility  for   Policy,  Media   and   Research.   As   a  member   of   the   Labour   Party   since   1984,  Elliott  has  held  office  at  branch,  constituency  and  regional   level.  She   is  Chair  of  the   Labour  North  Board   and   secretary/treasurer   of   the  Northern  Trade  Union  Liaison   Organisation.   Elliott   was   born   in   1963   and   holds   a   degree   from  Northumbria  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Louise  Ellman  

 

Louise  Ellman  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1997  and  is  MP  for  Liverpool   Riverside.   She   is   Chair   of   the   Transport   Select   Committee   and   is  interested  in  regional  and  local  government,  public  services  and  the  arts.  Ellman  is  also  heavily  involved  with  the  Labour  Jewish  Movement,  and  is  currently  Vice-­‐Chair  of  Labour  Friends  of  Israel.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Ellman  was   a   full   time   county   council   leader.   She  spent  twenty  seven  years  on  Lancashire  County  Council,  first  taking  the  lead  role  in  1981.  She  is  a  strong  supporter  of  regional  government  and  a  founder  of  the  North-­‐West   Regional   Association.   Prior   to   becoming   a   full-­‐time   councillor,   she  worked  in  further  education,  lecturing  for  the  Open  University.  Ellman  was  born  in  1945  and  studied  at  Hull  and  York  Universities.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natascha  Engel  

 

Natascha  Engel  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2005  and  is  MP  for  North  East  Derbyshire.  She  cites  her  political   interests  as  youth  policy,  welfare  rights,   regeneration,   pensions   and   sexual   health.   Engel   has   acted   as  Parliamentary   Private   Secretary   to   numerous   ministers,   most   recently   aiding  John   Denham   in   his   role   as   Secretary   of   State   for   Communities   and   Local  Government   (2009).   Before   that,   she  worked   for   Liam   Byrne,  Minister   for   the  Cabinet  Office  and  Chancellor  of  the  Duchy  of  Lancaster  (2008-­‐09),  and  for  Peter  Hain,  Secretary  of  State  for  Work  and  Pensions  (2007-­‐08).  Engel  also  sits  on  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  UK  Youth  Parliament  and  is  honorary  president  of  the  British  Youth  Council.   In   2007,   she  won   an   ePolitix   award   for   her   advocacy   of  youth  issues.  

Before   entering  Parliament,   Engel  worked   as   a   trade  union  organiser.   She  was  ballot   co-­‐ordinator   of   the   Trade  Union   Political   Fund   between   2002   and   2003  and  Trade  Union   liaison   officer   for   the   Labour   Party   between   1997   and   2001.  Engel  also  spent  a  year  as  Programme  Director  at  the  Smith  Institute  (2001-­‐02)  and  has   co-­‐produced  numerous   leaflets   on   trade  unionism.  Prior   to   this,   Engel  worked   as   a   translator,   having   studied   languages   and   then   translation   at  university.  Engel  was  born  in  1967.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caroline  Flint  

 

Caroline  Flint  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1997  and  is  MP  for  Don  Valley.   She   is   currently   Shadow  Secretary  of   State   for  Energy   and  Climate  Change,  having  previously  served  as  Shadow  Secretary  of  State  for  Communities  and   Local   Government.   Flint   spent   the   year   prior   to   this   on   the   backbenches,  having   resigned   from   government   in   2009   after   publicly   accusing   the   Prime  Minister   of   treating   her   as   ‘female   window   dressing’.   At   the   time   of   her  departure,  Flint  was  Europe  Minister  at   the  Foreign  and  Commonwealth  Office.  Previously,   Flint   had   been   Minister   for   Housing   and   Planning   (2008),   for  Yorkshire   and   the   Humber   (2007-­‐08),   for   Employment   and   Welfare   Reform  (2007-­‐08),  and  for  Public  Health  (2006-­‐07).  Between  2003  and  2005  she  was  a  Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary  of  State  at   the  Department  of  Health   (2005-­‐07)  and  at  the  Home  Office  (2003-­‐05).  Prior  to  this,  Flint  was  a  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary,  aiding   John  Reid  between  2002  and  2003,  whilst  he  was  Party  Chair  and  Leader  of  the  Commons,  and  Peter  Hain  between  2001  and  2002,  whilst  he  was   at   the   Department   of   Trade   and   Industry   and   at   the   Foreign   and  Commonwealth  Office.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Flint  was  a  researcher  and  a  political  officer  for  the  GMB  union.  She  had  previously  worked  in  local  government,  spending  four  years  at  Lambeth  Council  and  three  at  the  Inner  London  Education  Authority.  Flint  also  spent   a   year   at   the   National   Union   of   Students,   leading   the   Women’s   Unit  between  1988  and  1989.  Flint  was  born  in  1961  and  studied  at  the  University  of  East  Anglia.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yvonne  Fovargue  

 

Yvonne  Fovargue  was  elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  2010  and   is  MP   for  Makerfield.  She  cites  her  political  interests  as  the  third  sector,  consumer  credit,  and  debt  and  employment  law,  and  is  currently  a  Whip  for  the  Labour  Party.  

Before  entering  parliament,  Fovargue  was  Chief  Executive  of  St.  Helen’s  Citizen’s  Advice   Bureaux.   She   held   the   post   for   eighteen   years   and   between   2004   and  2010  balanced  it  with  working  on  Warrington  Borough  Council.  Prior  to  joining  the   CAB,   Fovargue   worked   in   the   housing   department   of   Manchester   City  Council.  She  was  born  in  1956  and  studied  at  Leeds  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheila  Gilmore  

 

Sheila   Gilmore   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   and   is   MP   for  Edinburgh   East.   Her   political   interests   include   the   minimum   wage,   local   bus  services  and  the  elderly.  She  is  currently  a  member  of  the  Select  Committees  for  Political  and  Constitutional  Reform  and  Work  and  Pensions.  

Before   entering   parliament,   Gilmore   worked   as   a   councillor   and   solicitor.   She  was   elected   to  Edinburgh  City  Council   in  1991   and   remained   there   for   sixteen  years,  attaining  the  role  of  Convener  for  Housing  in  1999.  Whilst  practising  as  a  lawyer,   Gilmore  worked   on   legal   aid   cases,  mainly   focusing   on   family   law.   She  also  represented  women  in  domestic  violence  cases  and  helped  establish  a  Rape  Crisis   Centre   in   Edinburgh.   Before   qualifying   as   a   solicitor,   Gilmore   briefly  worked   as   a   teacher.   She   was   born   in   1945   and   has   studied   at   Kent   and  Edinburgh  Universities.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pat  Glass  

 

Pat   Glass  was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   and   is  MP   for   North  West  Durham.  She   is  particularly   interested   in  education  policy  and  sits  on  the  Education  Select  Committee.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Glass  was  a  government  education  advisor,  working  with   various   councils   across   the   Yorkshire   and   Humber   region.   She   is   also  currently  a  councillor,  having  been  elected  to  Lanchestire  Parish  Council  in  2007.  Glass  was  born  in  1957.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary  Glindon  

 

Mary  Glindon  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  North  Tyneside.  She   is   currently  a  member  of   the  Select  Committee   for  Environment,  Food  and  Rural  Affairs.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Glindon   worked   as   a   councillor   and   public   sector  administrator.  She  was  first  elected  to  North  Tyneside  Council  in  1995  and  since  then  has  served  as  Mayor  (1999-­‐2000)  and  Deputy  Mayor  (1998-­‐99).  Glindon  is  also   a   founding  member   and   treasurer   of   Battle   Hill   Community   Development  Project.   She   was   born   in   1957   and   has   a   sociology   degree   from   Northumbria  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helen  Goodman  

 

Helen  Goodman  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2005  and  is  MP  for  Bishop   Auckland.   She   is   particularly   interested   in   the   environment,   children’s  issues   and   international   development,   and   is   currently   a     Shadow  Minister   for  Culture,   Media   and   Sport.   Before   gaining   this   post,   Goodman   spent   several  months  as  a  shadow  Minister  for  Justice  and  prior  to  that  as  Shadow  Minister  for  Work  and  Pensions.  She  secured  promotion   to   this  position   in  May  2010,  after  working  as  a  Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary  of  State  at  the  Department  for  Work  and  Pensions.  Between  2008  and  2009,  she  was  an  Assistant  Government  Whip,  and  before  that  spent  a  year  as  Deputy  Leader  of  the  House  of  Commons.  During  2007,  Goodman  was  Parliamentary  Private   Secretary   to  Harriet  Harman  at   the  Ministry  of  Justice.  

Prior  to  entering  Parliament,  Goodman  worked  in  the  charity  sector,  leading  the  National  Association  of  Toy  and  Leisure  Libraries  between  2002  and  2005  and  heading   strategy  at   the  Children’s  Society   from  1998  until  2002.   She   spent   the  previous   twenty  years  as  a   civil   servant  at   the  Treasury,  becoming  head  of   the  Strategy  Unit  in  1995.  Her  time  at  the  Treasury  included  a  period  working  in  the  office   of   the   Czechoslovak   Prime   Minister   in   the   immediate   aftermath   of   the  Velvet   Revolution.   Goodman   briefly  worked   as   a   research   assistant   to   the   late  Philip  Whitehead  MP,  after  graduating  from  Oxford  University  in  1979.  She  was  born  in  1958  .  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kate  Green  

 

Kate   Green  was   first   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   2010   and   is  MP   for  Stretford  and  Urmston.  She  cites  her  political  interests  as  employment,  children  and  families,  social  exclusion  and  poverty,  and  is  currently  Shadow  Minister  for  the  Equalities  Office  as  well  as  a  member  of  the  Select  Committee  on  Work  and  Pensions.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Green  worked   in   the   charity   sector,   spending   five  years   as   chief   executive   of   the   Child   Poverty   Action   Group,   and   four   years   as  director   of   the   National   Council   for   One   Parent   Families   (now   Gingerbread).  Between  1982  and  1999,  Green  worked  for  Barclays  Bank,  spending  the  last  two  years   on   secondment   at   the   Home   Office.   She   has   also   worked   for   numerous  public  bodies,  chairing  the  London  Child  Poverty  Commission  (2006-­‐09),  sitting  on  the  National  Employment  Panel  (2001-­‐07),  and  serving  as  a  Magistrate  in  the  City  of  London  (1993-­‐2007).  Green  was  born  in  1960  and  studied  at  Edinburgh  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lilian  Greenwood  

 

Lilian  Greenwood  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  Nottingham   South.   Her   political   interests   include   employment   rights   and  pensions,  and  she  is  currently  a  Shadow  Minister  for  Transport.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Greenwood  worked  for  the  public  sector  trade  union  UNISON.   She   spent   seventeen   years   with   UNISON,   working   as   an   organiser,  campaigner   and   researcher.   Prior   to   this,   Greenwood  was   a   researcher   at   the  Local  Authority  Conditions  of  Service  Advisory  Board  (1988-­‐89)  and  at  the  Civil  and   Public   Services   Association   (1989-­‐92).   Greenwood  was   born   in   1966   and  holds   a   degree   from  Cambridge  University   and   a  masters  degree   from  London  South  Bank  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nia  Griffith  

 

Nia   Griffith  was   first   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   2005   and   is  MP   for  Llanelli.   She   is   currently   a   junior   Shadow  Minister   for  Wales,   having   served   as    junior  Shadow  Minister   for  Business,   Innovation  and  Skills   from  2010   to  2011.  She   cites   her   political   interests   as   Europe,   the   environment,   industry   and  community   issues.   She   also   holds   a   special   interest   in  Wales   (she   is   a   native-­‐Welsh  speaker)  and  is  a  member  of  the  Welsh  Affairs  Select  Committee.  Prior  to  the   last  election,  Griffith  spent   two  years  as  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary   to  Harriet   Harman   as   Minister   for  Women   and   Equality,   and   between   2007   and  2008   was   PPS   to   Hilary   Benn   at   the   Department   for   Environment,   Food   and  Rural  Affairs  2007-­‐08.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Griffith  was  a  teacher,  spending  eight  years  as  head  of   modern   languages   at   a   Swansea   comprehensive.   Though   most   of   Griffith’s  career  has  been  spent  teaching,  she  worked  as  an  education  adviser  and  schools  inspector  between  1992  and  1997.  She  has   long  been  an  active  member  of   the  Labour   Party,   and   served   on   Carmarthen   Town   Council   from   1987   to   1999.  Whilst  on   the  council,   she  was  elected  Deputy  Mayor   (1998   -­‐1999)  and  Sheriff  (1997   -­‐98).   Griffith   was   born   in   1956   and   studied   at   Oxford   University   and  University  College  of  North  Wales.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harriet  Harman  

 

Harriet  Harman  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  a  1982  by-­‐election  as  MP  for  Peckham.  The  boundaries  of  her  constituency  changed  in  1997  and  she  is  now  MP   for  Camberwell   and  Peckham.  Harman   is   a  well-­‐established  Labour  figure  and  a  prominent  advocate  of  gender  equality.  Her  most  recent  success  in  furthering   this   agenda   came  with   the   passage   of   the   2010   Equality   Act,  which  allows   employers   to   discriminate   in   favour   of   female   and   ethnic   minority   job  applicants.    She  is  currently  Deputy  Leader,    Party  Chair  and  Shadow  Secretary  of  State   for  Culture,  Media  and  Sport.  As  elected  Deputy  Leader   (since  2007),   she  also   led   the  party  during   the   leadership   contest   following  Brown’s   resignation.  Harman  has  occupied  numerous  frontbench  posts,  for  the  last  three  years  acting  as   Shadow   Secretary   of   State   for   International   Developemtn   (2010-­‐11)   and   as  both  Minister   for  Women   and   Equality   and   Leader   of   the   House   of   Commons  (2007-­‐10).   Prior   to   this,   she   was   Minister   for   Justice   at   the   Department   for  Constitutional  Affairs  (2005-­‐07)  and  Solicitor  General  (2001-­‐05).  Harman  spent  1998   to   2001   on   the   backbenches,   after   being   pushed   out   of   her   position   as  Social   Security   Secretary   and  Minister   for  Women   after   just   a   year   on   the   job.  Until   this   point,   Harman   had   rapidly   ascended   the   party   ranks,   working   as  Shadow  Secretary  of   State   for  Social   Security   (1996-­‐97),  Health   (1995-­‐96)  and  Employment  (1994-­‐95),  and  as  Shadow  Chief  Secretary   to   the  Treasury  (1992-­‐94),  Spokesperson  for  Health  (1987-­‐92),  and  Shadow  Minister  for  Social  Services  (1984-­‐87).  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Harman   spent   four   years   as   a   legal   officer   for   the  National   Council   for   Civil   Liberties   (now   Liberty).   During   this   time   she   fought  numerous   high-­‐profile   cases,   with   one   on   behalf   of   a   prisoner   resulting   in  Harman’s  conviction   for  contempt  of  court;   the  case  was   later  overturned  after  an   appeal   to   the   European   Court   on   Human   Rights.   Between   1974   and   1978  Harman  worked  for  Brent  Law  Centre,  gaining  the  job  after  graduating  from  York  University.  Harman  was  born  in  1950.  

 

 

 

 

Meg  Hillier  

 

Meg  Hillier  was   first   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   2005   and   is  MP   for  Hackney   South   and   Shoreditch.   From   2010   to   2011,   she   served   as   Shadow  Secretary  of  State  for  Energy  and  Climate  Change,  gaining  the  post  after  placing  in   the   top   twenty   in   the   2010   Shadow   Cabinet   elections.     She   had   previously  served  as  Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary  of  State  at  the  Home  Office  (2007-­‐10)  and   as   Parliamentary   Private   Secretary   to   Ruth   Kelly   as   Secretary   of   State   for  Communities  and  Local  Government  (2006-­‐07).  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Hillier   was   a   journalist   and   councillor.   Between  2000  and  2004  she  worked  on  the  London  Assembly,  chairing  the  culture,  sport  and  tourism  committee  as  well  as  the  Assembly’s  2000  inquiry  into  housing  for  key   workers.   Hillier   also   spent   eight   years   on   Islington   Council   (1994-­‐2002),  including   a  period   as  Mayor   (1998-­‐99).   She  worked   as   a   journalist   during   this  time,  going  freelance  in  1998,  having  worked  for  Housing  Today  for  the  previous  four  years.  Earlier  jobs  include  a  year  as  public  relations  officer  for  the  Newlon  Housing  Group  and  a  brief  period  at  the  South  Yorkshire  Times.  Hillier  was  born  in  1969  and  graduated  from  Oxford  University  in  1990.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julie  Hilling  

 

Julie   Hilling   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   as   MP   for   Bolton  West.   Her   chief   policy   interests   are   youth   services,   education   and   regional  development.   She   is   currently  an  Opposition  Whip  and  a  member  of   the  Select  Committee  for  Transport.  

Prior   to   becoming   an   MP,   Hilling   was   the   senior   regional   organiser   for   the  Transport   Salaried   Staffs   Association   and   Vice-­‐Chair   of   the   Bolton   West  constituency  party.  Between  1991  and  1999,  she  was  the  National  President  of  the   Community   and   Youth  Workers   Union   and   before   that   was   a   youth   work  manager  for  Wigan  Council.  Hilling  was  educated  at  the  University  of  Nottingham  and  Manchester  Metropolitan  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margaret  Hodge  

 

Margaret  Hodge  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1994  and  is  MP  for  Barking.  She  is  currently  a  member  of  the  Public  Account  Commission.  She  cites  her   political   interests   as   education,   the   reform   of   public   services,   democratic  renewal,   and   gender   equality,   and   in   2010   served   as   Shadow   Minister   for  Culture,  Media  and  Sport.  Before  gaining  this  position,  Hodge  was  a  Minister   in  the  same  department,  holding  responsibility  for  culture  and  tourism  (2007-­‐10).  During   the   previous   year,   she  was  Minister   for   Industry   and   the   Regions,   and  prior  to  that  was  a  Minister  at  the  Department  for  Work  and  Pensions.  Between  2003  and  2005  Hodge  was  Minister  for  Children,  Young  People  and  Families,  and  from   2001   to   2003,   she   held   the   Lifelong   Learning   and   Higher   Education  portfolio.  For  three  years  beforehand,  Margaret  was  Under  Secretary  of  State  at  the   Department   for   Education   and   Employment,   where   her   responsibilities  included  child  care,  nursery  education,  and  equal  opportunities  in  employment.  Before   entering   government   in   1998   Hodge   held   a   range   of   offices   including  Chair  of  the  London  Labour  Group,  Joint  Chair  of  the  Education  and  Employment  Select  Committee  and  Chair  of  Labour’s  Task  Force  on  Under-­‐5s  policy.  

Before   becoming   an   MP,   Hodge   worked   for   two   years   as   a   public   sector  consultant  with  Price  Waterhouse  Coopers.  She  had  previously  spent  more  than  twenty  years  on  Islington  Council,  leading  it  between  1982  and  1992.  During  this  time,  she  was  well-­‐known  for  her  avowedly   left-­‐wing  convictions  and  assertive  leadership  manner.  Prior   to  entering  politics,  Hodge  spent  several  years  caring  for   her   children,   and   between   1966   and   1973   was   a   teacher   and   market-­‐researcher.   She   was   born   in   1944   and   educated   at   the   London   School   of  Economics.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharon  Hodgson  

 

Sharon  Hodgson  was   first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons   in  2005  as  the  MP  for  Gateshead  East  and  Washington  West.  Her  constituency  boundaries  changed  in   2010   and   she   is   now   MP   for   Washington   and   Sunderland   West.   She   was  appointed  as  a  junior  shadow  Education  Minister  in  2010,  gaining  the  post  after  spending   a   year   as   a  Whip.  Hodgson   is   also   a  member  of   the  Christian  Labour  Movement   and  a   columnist   for   its   journal.  Before  being  made  a  Whip   in  2009,  Hodgson   spent   three   years   as   a   Parliamentary   Private   Secretary,   working   for  Dawn  Primarolo  at   the  Department  of  Health   (2008-­‐09),  Bob  Ainsworth  at   the  Ministry  of  Defence  (2007-­‐08)  and  Liam  Byrne  at  the  Home  Office  (2006-­‐07).  

Prior  to  entering  Parliament,  Hodgson  worked  for  the  trade  union  UNISON  (2002  –  05),  and  as  a  local  and  regional  Labour  Party  organiser  (1999  –  2002).  She  also  spent   a   year   as   an   administrator   for   an   education   charity.   Hodgson   studied  English  at  Newcastle  College  as  a  mature  student  (1994  –  97),  having  spent  the  previous   twelve   years   as   a   book-­‐keeper   and   administrator.   She   was   born   in  1966.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kate  Hoey  

 

Kate  Hoey  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  a  1989  by-­‐election  and  is  MP  for  Vauxhall.  She  cites  her  political  interests  as  foreign  affairs,  housing  and  the  countryside,  and  is  well-­‐known  for  her  enthusiasm  for  sport,  particularly  her  defence  of  fox-­‐hunting  and  membership  of  the  Countryside  Alliance.  She  was  last  in  government  in  2001  as  Minister  for  Sport,  a  post  she  gained  in  1999.  Prior  to  this,  Hoey   spent   a   year   at   the  Home  Office   as  Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   for   the  Metropolitan   Police,   European   Union   and   Judicial   Co-­‐operation,   and   a   year   as  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary   to  Frank  Field  as  Minister   for  Welfare  Reform.  Earlier   in   her   Commons   career,   Hoey   was   Opposition   Spokesperson   for   the  Citizen’s  Charter  and  Women  (1992-­‐93).  

Before   entering  Parliament,  Hoey  worked  as   an   educational   adviser   to  Arsenal  Football   Club   (1985-­‐89),   having   spent   thirteen   years   teaching   in   London  colleges.   She   has   an   economics   degree   from   London   Metropolitan   University  (1968),   which   she   gained   after   first   studying   teaching   at   the   Ulster   College   of  Physical  Education  (1964).  During   this   time,   she  was  unusual   in  holding  Ulster  Unionist   convictions   whilst   also   being   a   member   of   the   International   Marxist  Group.  Hoey  was  born  in  1946.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenda  Jackson  

 

Glenda   Jackson  was   first   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   1992   as  MP   for  Hamstead  and  Highgate.  Her  constituency  boundaries  changed  in  2010  and  she  is  now  MP  for  Hamstead  and  Kilburn.  She  cites  her  political  interests  as  overseas  aid   and   development,   the   environment   and   housing.   Her   interest   in   the   latter  issue   led   to   her   appointment   as   a   member   of   the   Greater   London   Assembly  advisory  cabinet  for  homelessness  in  2000,  a  position  she  retained  for  four  years.  For  much   of   her   time   in   the   Commons,   Jackson   has   been   on   the   backbenches,  having  resigned  from  government   in  1999.  She  had  previously  spent  two  years  as   Parliamentary   Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   at   the   Department   for   the  Environment,  Transport  and  the  Regions,  and  a  year  as  Opposition  Spokesperson  on  Transport.  She  is  currently  a  member  of  the  Select  Committee  for  Work  and  Pensions.  

Jackson   is   perhaps   best   known   for   her   pre-­‐parliamentary   career   as   an   actor.  Between   1963   and   1994   she   featured   in   dozens   of   films,   plays   and   television  dramas,  winning  Oscars  for  her  roles  in  Women  in  Love  (1969)  and  A  Touch  of  Class   (1973).   Jackson   rose   to   fame   after   training   at   the   Royal   Academy   of  Dramatic   Art.   Before   embarking   on   her   acting   career   she   worked   at   Boots,  having  left  school  at  fifteen  with  no  qualifications.  Jackson  was  born  in  1936.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Siân  James  

 

Siân   James  was   first   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2005   and   is  MP   for  Swansea   East.   Her   main   policy   interests   are   social   exclusion,   public   transport  and   issues   affecting   women   and   children.   James   was   a   member   of   the   Welsh  Affairs  Select  Committee  from  2005  to  2010  as  well  as  a  member  of  the  Justice  Select   Committee   from  2006   to   2011.     She   also   spent   a   year   as   Parliamentary  Private  Secretary  to  Gareth  Thomas,  then  Minister  of  State  at  the  Department  for  International  Development  (2008-­‐09).  

Before   entering   Parliament,   James   spent   two   years   as   Director   of   Welsh  Women’s   Aid.   She   had   previously   occupied   public   affairs   positions   at   the  Lobbyist   Association   of   Train   Operating   Companies   (1999-­‐2003),   Securicor  (1998-­‐99),  the  National  Trust  (1994-­‐98)  and  Save  the  Children  (1991-­‐94).  James  also  spent  a  year  as   field  officer   for   the  National  Federation  of  Young  Farmers’  Clubs  (1990-­‐91),  a  role  she  secured  after  completing  a  Welsh  degree  as  a  mature  student.   She  decided   to   go   to  university   after   her  participation   in   the  1984-­‐85  miner’s  strike;  James  describes  the  experience  as  transformative,  enabling  her  to  find  her  political   instincts   and   gain   the   confidence   to   enter   the  workforce.   She  was  born  in  1959.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cathie  Jamieson  

 

Cathie  Jamieson  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  Kilmarnock  and  Loudoun.  She  is  currently  Shadow  Economic  Secretary  and  cites  her  political  interests  as  the  co-­‐operative  movement,  voluntary  sector,  workers’  rights,  children  and  criminal  justice.  

Jamieson   has   also   been   a   Member   of   the   Scottish   Parliament   since   1999.   She  stepped  down  from  the  Shadow  Cabinet  in  2009  to  seek  selection  for  her  current  Commons   seat,   but   before   then   was   Shadow   Secretary   for   Housing   and  Regeneration   (2009)   and   for   Health   and   Wellbeing   (2008-­‐09),   and   Deputy  Leader   of   the   Scottish   Labour   Party   (2000-­‐08).   During   2007,   Jamieson   was  briefly  Shadow  First  Minister  and  Scottish  Labour  Leader,  standing  in  following  the  resignation  of  Jack  McDonnell.  She  held  the  Parliamentary  Business  portfolio  at   the   time.  Before  Labour   entered  Opposition   in  2007,   Jamieson  was  Minister  for  Justice  (2003-­‐07),  and  for  Education  and  Young  People  (2001-­‐03).  

Prior  to  gaining  office,  Jamieson  occupied  various  party  positions  at  local  branch  and  constituency  level.  She  was  also  involved  in  social  care,  latterly  as  Principal  Officer  of  Who  Cares?  Scotland,  an  advocacy  organisation  for  children  and  young  people  in  residential  care.  Before  her  appointment  to  this  role  in  1992,  Jamieson  worked  on  several  front-­‐line  social  work  teams  and  specialist  projects  for  young  people   in   trouble.  She  was  born   in  1956  and  studied  art  at  undergraduate  and  postgraduate   level,   before   undertaking   a   social   work   qualification   at   Glasgow  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diana  Johnson  

 

Diana  Johnson  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2005  as  MP  for  Hull  North.   Her   constituency   boundaries   changed   in   2010   and   she   is   now   MP   for  Kingston  upon  Hull  North.  Johnson  was  made  a  Shadow  Minister  for  Crime  and  Security  in  2011,  having  previously  been  a  Shadow  Minister  for  the  Home  Office  from  2010  to  2011  and  a  Shadow  Minister  for  Health  in  2010.  Before  gaining  this  promotion,   Johnson   was   Parliamentary   Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   for   Schools  (2009-­‐10)   and   prior   to   that   was   Assistant   Government  Whip   (2007-­‐09).   Until  2007  she  worked  as  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary   to  Stephen  Timms,  aiding  him   at   the   Treasury   (2006-­‐07)   and   the   Department   for   Work   and   Pensions  (2005-­‐06).  She  gained  this  position  after  just  six  months  in  the  Commons.  

Before  entering  Parliament,   Johnson  worked  as  a  barrister  and  local  councillor.  Between  2003  and  2004   she  was  on   the  Greater  London  Assembly,  where   she  was  deputy  chairwoman  of  the  Public  Services  Committee  and  a  member  of  the  Metropolitan  Police  Committee.   From  1994   to  2002,   Johnson   served  on  Tower  Hamlets   Council,   chairing   social   services   between   1997   and   2000.   During   this  time  Johnson  also  practised  law,  working  as  a  National  Officer  for  the  FDA  Trade  Union  (2002-­‐03),  and  for  various  community  law  centres  across  London  (1991  –  2002).   She  managed   to   combine   this   with   additional   work   as   a   non-­‐executive  director  of  Tower  Hamlets  PCT  and  Newham  Healthcare  Trust.  Johnson  was  born  in  1966  and  educated  at  Queen  Mary  College,  London  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helen  Jones  

 

Helen   Jones  was   first   elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  1997  and   is  MP   for  Warrington  North.  She  is  currently  Shadow  Minister  for  Communities  and  Local  Government.  From  2010  to  2011,  she  was  Shadow  Deputy  Leader  of  the  House  of  Commons,   having   been   appointed   to   the   role   in   October   2010   after   spending  several  months  as  Shadow  Minister  for  Justice.  Before  gaining  promotion  to  the  Justice  Department,   Jones  was  a  Government  Whip  (2009-­‐10)  and  an  Assistant  Government  Whip   (2008-­‐09).   Between   2007   and   2008   she  was   Parliamentary  Private  Secretary  to  Dawn  Primarolo,  then  Minister  of  State  at  the  Department  of  Health.   Whilst   on   the   backbenches,   Jones   served   on   numerous   Select  Committees,   including   Education   and   Employment   (1999-­‐2001   and   2003-­‐07),  Public  Administration  (1998-­‐2000)  and  Catering  (1997-­‐98).  

Prior   to   entering   Parliament,   Jones   was   a   local   councillor   and   solicitor.   She  served   on   Chester   City   Council   between   1984   and   1991,   contesting   several  European  and  Westminster  seats  during  this  time.  As  a  lawyer,  Jones  specialised  in   personal   and   industrial   injuries.   She   qualified   as   a   mature   student,   having  previously  worked  as  a  justice  and  peace  officer  for  the  Liverpool  Archdiocese,  as  a   development   officer   for  MIND   and   as   an   English   teacher.   Jones  was   born   in  1954   and   studied   at   London,   Liverpool   and   Manchester   Metropolitan  Universities.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susan  Elan  Jones  

 

Susan  Elan   Jones  was  elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  2010  and   is  MP   for  Clywd   South.   She   is   particularly   interested   in   the   voluntary   and   community  sectors,   rural   communities,   job   creation   and   the   Welsh   language,   and   is   a  member  of  the  Welsh  Affairs  Select  Committee.  She  is  also  an  Opposition  Whip.  

Before  entering  Parliament,   Jones  was  a   local  councillor  and  charity  fundraiser.  She   spent   three   years   on   Southwark   Council,   the   latter   two   years   as   deputy  opposition   leader   (2007   –   09).   During   this   time   she   was   also   a   fundraising  executive   for   Housing   Justice   (2005   –   05).   Prior   to   this,   she   worked   for   the  Christian  charities  Caris  Haringey  (2002-­‐05)  and  USPG  (1997-­‐2002),  and  for  the  Muscular  Dystrophy  Campaign  (1995-­‐96).  Jones  started  her  career  as  an  English  teacher,  spending  several  years  in  Japan  (1990  –  94).  She  was  born  in  1968  and  educated  at  Bristol  and  Cardiff  Universities.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tessa  Jowell  

 

Tessa   Jowell  was   first  elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  1992  and   is  MP   for  West   Dulwich   and   Norwood.   She   is   a   well-­‐established   Labour   figure   and   is  particularly  associated  with  the  Department  for  Culture,  Media  and  Sport.  Jowell  placed   in   the   top   twenty   in  Labour’s  2010  Shadow  Cabinet   elections,   retaining  the  Olympics   portfolio   –  which   she   has   held   since   2005   –   as   a   result.   She  was  Minister  for  the  Cabinet  Office  during  Labour’s  last  year  in  government,  and  for  the  three  years  previously  was  Paymaster  General.  From  2001  to  2007  she  was  Secretary  of  State  for  Culture,  Media  and  Sport,  between  2005  and  2006  holding  additional  responsibility  as  Minister  for  Women.  Before  gaining  promotion  to  the  Cabinet,   Jowell   was   Minister   of   State   for   Women   (1999-­‐2001),   Employment,  Welfare  to  Work  and  Equal  Opportunities  (1999-­‐2001)  and  Public  Health  (1997-­‐99).  During  her   first   term   in  Parliament,   she  was  Opposition  Spokesperson   for  Health  (1994-­‐97)  and  Women  (1995-­‐96),  and  Opposition  Whip  (1994-­‐95).  

Jowell  has  extensive  experience  of   child  and  community  care  work,  and  before  entering   Parliament   led   the   Joseph   Rowntree   Foundation’s   Community   Care  Programme  (1990-­‐92)  and  Birmingham’s  community  care  special  action  project  (1987-­‐90).  During  this  time,  she  was  also  a  senior  visiting  research  fellow  at  the  King’s  Fund  Institute  and  Policy  Studies  Institute.  Between  1974  and  1986  Jowell  was  assistant  director  at  the  mental  health  charity  MIND,  a  position  she  gained  after   spending   five   years   as   a   psychiatric   social  worker   and   child   care   officer.  Jowell   was   born   in   1946   and   studied   at   Aberdeen,   Edinburgh   and   Goldsmiths  universities.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara  Keeley  

 

Barbara  Keeley  was   first   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   2005   as  MP   for  Worsley.  Her   constituency  boundaries   changed   in  2010  and  she   is  now  MP   for  Worsley  and  Eccles  South.  Keeley  is  currently  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary  to  Ed  Balls  as  Shadow  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer.  Prior  to  this,  she  was  appointed  to   the   shadow   Communities   and   Local   Government   team   in   2010.   Her   other  policy  interests  include  equality,  health,  carers  and  regeneration.  Before  gaining  her   junior  ministerial  role,  Keeley  was  Deputy  Leader  of   the  Commons   in  2009  and,  before  that,  an  Assistant  Government  Whip  (2008-­‐09).  She  was  previously  a    Parliamentary  Private  Secretary,  aiding  Harriet  Harman  as  Minister  for  Women  and   Equality   (2007-­‐08)   and   Jim   Murphy   MP   at   the   Department   of   Work   and  Pensions  (2006–07).  As  a  backbench  MP,  Keeley  was  active  in  promoting  better  support  for  carers,  and  in  June  2007  was  asked  to  lead  Labour’s  manifesto  work  on  social  care.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Keeley  was  a  consultant  to  The  Princess  Royal  Trust  for   Carers,   researching   carers’   issues,   particularly   those   related   to   primary  health  care.  Between  1995  and  2004  she  worked  on  Trafford  Council,  serving  as  a  Cabinet  member   for  education,  and   for   children  and  young  people’s   services.  Keeley’s  early  career  was  spent  in  the  information  technology  industry.  She  was  born  in  1952  and  studied  at  the  University  of  Salford.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liz  Kendall  

 

Liz  Kendall  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  Leicester  West.   She   is   currently   a   shadow   junior   Health   Minister.   Kendall’s   other   main  policy  interests  are  employment  and  care  for  the  elderly.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Kendall  was  a  social  policy  consultant,  working  as  a  special  advisor  to  both  Patricia  Hewitt  and  Harriet  Harman,  and  as  a  researcher  for  several  think-­‐tanks.  She  has  been  director  of  the  Ambulance  Service  Network  and   the  Maternity  Alliance,  and  an  associate  director  at   the   Institute   for  Public  Policy   Research.   At   IPPR,   Kendall   ran   the   Institute’s   programme   of   work   on  health,  social  care  and  children’s  early  years.  She  has  also  been  a  research  fellow  for   the   King’s   Fund’s   Public   Health   Trust   and   has   authored   numerous  publications,  mainly  relating  to  health  and  social  welfare.  She  was  born  in  1971  and  educated  at  Cambridge  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiona  Mactaggart  

 

Fiona  Mactaggart  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1997  and  is  MP  for   Slough.  From  2010   to  2011,   she   served   in  Yvette  Cooper’s   shadow  Women  and   Equalities   team.   Her   additional   policy   interests   are   human   rights,   civil  liberties,  education  and  the  arts.  Mactaggart  was  last  in  government  in  2006  as  a  Parliamentary   Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   at   the   Home   Office,   holding  responsibility  for  Offender  Management  and  Criminal  Justice  (2005-­‐06)  and  for  Race  Equality,  Community  Policy  and  Civil  Renewal   (2003-­‐05).  Before  entering  the  Home  Office,  Mactaggart  was  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary  to  Chris  Smith  at  the  Department  of  Culture,  Media  and  Sport  (1997-­‐2001).  

Prior   to   entering   Parliament,   Mactaggart   spent   five   years   as   a   Lecturer   at   the  Institute  of  Education  and  as  Chair  of  Liberty.  Between  1987  and  1992  she  was  a  primary   school   teacher   in   Peckham,   balancing   this   with   a   position   on  Wandsworth   Council   (1988-­‐90).   Mactaggart   had   previously   been   General  Secretary  of  the  Joint  Council  for  the  Welfare  of  Immigrants  (1982-­‐87)  and  press  and  public   relations  officer   for   the  National  Council  of  Voluntary  Organisations  (1981).  She  gained  her  first  real  taste  of  politics  between  1978  and  1981,  whilst  Vice-­‐President   and   National   Secretary   of   the   National   Union   of   Students.  Mactaggart  was  born  in  1953  and  studied  at  Kings  College  London.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shabana  Mahmood  

 

Shabana  Mahmood  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  Birmingham   Ladywood.   She   was   appointed   to   the   shadow   team   for   Business,  Innovation  and  Skills  in  2011.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Mahmood  was  a  practising  barrister  for  the  law  firm  Berrymans  Lace  Mawer.  She  studied  at  Oxford  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kerry  McCarthy  

 

Kerry  McCarthy  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2005  and  is  MP  for  Bristol   East.   Her   policy   interests   include   economic   policy,   international   trade,  and   community   cohesion,   and   she   is   also   well   known   for   her   enthusiasm   for  social   media.   She   is   currently   a   junior   Shadow   Minister   for   the   Foreign   and  Commonwealth   Office   as   of   2011.   Prior   to   this,   she   worked   for   the   shadow  Treasury   team   and   was   a   junior   minister   in   the   shadow   Work   and   Pensions  Department,  with   responsibility   for  disability   issues.  Before   gaining  promotion  to  this  position  in  2010,  McCarthy  spent  a  year  as  a  Junior  Whip.  Prior  to  this,  she  worked   as   a   Parliamentary   Private   Secretary,   aiding   Douglas   Alexander,  Secretary   of   State   for   International   Development   (2007–09)   and   Rosie  Winterton,  Minister  for  Health  Services  (2007).  During  her  first  two  years  in  the  Commons,  McCarthy  was  a  member  of  the  Treasury  Select  Committee.  

Before   being   elected   to   Parliament,   McCarthy   was   Head   of   Public   Policy   at   a  consultancy  specialising   in   transport   issues   (2004-­‐05)  and  regional  advisor   for  the   Britain   in   Europe   campaign   (2002-­‐04).   Prior   to   this,   she   was   a   solicitor,  working  for  a  wide  range  of  employers  including  the  Labour  Party  (2001),  Merill  Lynch   (1996-­‐99),   Abbey   National   (1994-­‐96)   and   Wilde   Sapte   (1992-­‐94).  McCarthy  was  active  in  the  Party  during  this  time,  sitting  on  the  National  Policy  Forum   and   Brown’s   economy,   welfare   and   work   policy   commission   (1998-­‐2005).   She   was   also   a   Luton   Borough   councillor   for   five   years,   chairing   the  housing   committee   and   directing   the   local   authority-­‐owned   Luton   Airport  (1995-­‐96,  1999-­‐2003).  Before  qualifying  as  a  solicitor   in  1992,  McCarthy  spent  six   years   as   a   legal   assistant.   She   was   born   in   1965   and   studied   at   Liverpool  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Siobhain  McDonagh  

 

Siobhain  McDonagh  was   first   elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  1997  and   is  MP  for  Mitcham  and  Morden.  She  cites  her  political   interests  as  health,  housing  and   welfare   reform,   and   is   currently   a   member   of   the   Select   Committee   for  Education.   She   worked   as   an   Assistant   Government   Whip   between   2007   and  2008,  but  was  sacked  after  calling  for  a  challenge  to  Brown’s  leadership.  Before  becoming  a  Whip,  McDonagh  was  a  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary  to  John  Reid  as  Home  Secretary  (2006-­‐07)  and  as  Secretary  of  State  for  Defence  (2005-­‐06).  

Before   entering   Parliament,   McDonagh   worked   for   various   housing  organisations  and  as  a  local  councillor.  She  spent  fifteen  years  on  Merton  Council  (1982-­‐97),  chairing  the  Housing  Committee  between  1990  and  1995.  During  this  time,   she   also   worked   as   a   Development   co-­‐ordinator   for   Battersea   Church  Housing   Trust   (1988-­‐97),   and   as   a   housing   advisor   (1983–86).   She   began   her  career  as  clerical  officer  for  the  Department  of  Health  and  Social  Security  (1981-­‐83).  McDonagh  was  born  in  1960  and  studied  at  the  University  of  Essex.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alison  McGovern  

 

Alison  McGovern  was  elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  2010  and   is  MP   for  Wirral  South.  She  cites  her  political  interests  as  employment,  local  regeneration,  and   education   and   skills.   McGovern   was   appointed   Parliamentary   Private  Secretary  to  Gordon  Brown  in  2010  and  currently  sits  on  the  Select  Committes  for  International  Development  and  for  Works  of  Art.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   McGovern   worked   in   public   affairs   and   as   a   local  councillor.  She  was  elected  to  Southwark  Council  in  2006,  later  becoming  Deputy  Leader   of   the   Labour   Group.   During   this   time,   she   was   also   a   public   affairs  manager   for   The   Art   Fund   (2008-­‐09)   and   Network   Rail   (2006-­‐08).   She   had  previously  worked  as  a  researcher  in  the  House  of  Commons  (2002-­‐06),  gaining  the   position   after   graduating   from   University   College,   London.   McGovern   was  born  in  1980.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anne  McGuire  

 

Anne  McGuire  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1997  and  is  MP  for  Stirling.  She  cites  her  political  interests  as  the  EU,  urban  regeneration,  and  rural  development,  and  is  currently  Shadow  Minister  for  Work  and  Pensions.    She  was  made   Parliamentary   Private   Secretary   to   Ed   Miliband   after   his   victory   in   the  2010   Labour   leadership   election   and   prior   to   this,   was   last   in   government   as  Minister   for  Disabled  People  at   the  Department   for  Work  and  Pensions   (2005-­‐08).   Prior   to   this,   McGuire   was   Parliamentary   Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   at   the  Scotland  Office  (2002-­‐05).  She  had  previously  worked  as  a  Whip  (2001-­‐02)  and  as   an   Assistant   Whip   (1998-­‐2001).   McGuire   became   a   Parliamentary   Private  Secretary  soon  after  her  election,  aiding  Donald  Dewar  as  Secretary  of  State  for  Scotland  between  1997  and  1998.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  McGuire  was  Deputy  Director  of  the  Scottish  Council  for  Voluntary  Organisations  (1993-­‐97).  She  had  spent  the  previous  seven  years  as  a  development  worker  and  senior  manager  of  Community  Service  Volunteers.  During   this   time,   McGuire   was   heavily   involved   in   Party   politics   and   union  affairs,  becoming  chairwoman  of  the  Scottish  Labour  Party  in  1992  and  serving  on   the   National   Executive   of   the   GMB   from   1987   to   1991.   Prior   to   this,   she  worked   as   a   teacher   (1982-­‐84)   and   served   on   Strathclyde   Regional   Council  (1980-­‐82).  She  was  born   in  1949  and  studied  at  Glasgow  University  and  Notre  Dame  College  of  Education.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann  McKechin  

 

Ann  McKechin   was   first   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2001   as  MP   for  Glasgow   Maryhill.   Her   constituency   boundaries   changed   in   2005   and   she   has  since   been   MP   for   Glasgow   North.   She   is   currently   a   member   of   the   Select  Committee   for   Business,   Innovation   and   Skills.   Prior   to   this,   she   served   as  Secretary   of   State   for   Scotland   from   2010   to   2011,   and  was   a  member   of   the  Select   Committee   on   International   Development,   a   policy   area   she   has   had   a  long-­‐standing   interest   in.  Before  being  promoted   in  2010,  McKechin   spent   two  years  as  Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary  of  State  at   the  Scotland  Office.  She  has  previously   been   a   Parliamentary   Private   Secretary,   aiding   Jacqui   Smith   at   the  Department   for   Education   and   Skills   and   Department   of   Trade   and   Industry  (2005).  

Prior   to   entering  Parliament,  McKechin  was   a   solicitor   and   local   party   activist.  She  spent  fourteen  years  with  the  Glasgow  law  firm  Pacitti  Jones,  where  she  was  made  partner  in  1990.  During  this  time  she  held  several  positions  in  the  Glasgow  Kelvin   Labour   Party,   including   women’s   officer   (2000-­‐01)   and   constituency  secretary  (1995-­‐98).  McKechin  was  born  in  1962  and  studied  at  the  University  of  Strathclyde.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catherine  McKinnell  

 

Catherine  McKinnell  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  Newcastle   Upon   Tyne   North.   She   is   currently   Shadow   Exchequer   Secretary,  having   previously   served   as   Shadow   Minister   for   Educaton   (2011-­‐12)   and  Shadow  Solicitor-­‐General  (2010-­‐11).  

Before   entering   Parliament,   McKinnell   worked   for   a   large   Newcastle   law   firm  specialising   in  employment   law.  She  was  born   in  1966  and  studied  history  and  politics  at  Edinburgh  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madeleine  Moon  

 

Madeleine  Moon  was   first  elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  2005  as  MP   for  Bridgend.  Her  policy  interests  include  education,  policing,  prison  reform,  health  and  social  care,  and  she  is  currently  a  member  of  the  Defence  Select  Committee.  Prior   to   this,    Moon  worked   as   a   Parliamentary   Private   Secretary,   aiding   Lord  Hunt  at  the  Department  of  Energy  and  Climate  Change  (2009-­‐10)  and  Jim  Knight  at  the  Department  for  Children,  Schools  and  Families  (2007-­‐08).  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Moon  was   a   local   government   health   and  welfare  officer.   She   worked   for   the   Welsh   Assembly’s   Care   Standards   Inspectorate  between  2003  and  2005,  and  before  that  was  a  senior  social  worker  in  Swansea  (1996-­‐2002).  Moon  has  also  spent  many  years  as  a   local   councillor,   serving  on  Bridgend  Borough  Council   from  1991  to  2004,  and  on  Porthcawl  Town  Council  between   1990   and   2000,   a   period   which   included   two   stints   as   Town   Mayor  (1992-­‐93,  1995-­‐96).  Moon  began  her  social  work  career   in  1980  in  Glamorgan,  after  gaining  a  diploma  from  Cardiff  University.  She  was  born  in  1950.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jessica  Morden  

 

Jessica  Morden  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2005  and  is  MP  for  Newport   East.   She   cites   her   political   interests   as   anti-­‐social   behaviour   and  electoral   issues,  and   is  a  member  of   the  Welsh  Affairs  Select  Committee.  She   is  currently  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary   to   the  Shadow  Secretary  of  State   for  Wales,  Owen  Smith.  Prior  to  this,  she  was  PPS  to  the  Rt  Hon  Peter  Hain  in  his  role  as   Shadow   Secretary   of   State   for  Wales   and   Secretary   of   State   for  Wales   from  2007  to  2012.  She  also  served  Paul  Murphy  when  he  assumed  this  role  for  a  brief  period  from  2008  to  2009.    

Prior  to  entering  Parliament,  Morden  was  General  Secretary  of  the  Welsh  Labour  Party.  Before  gaining  the  post  in  1999  she  worked  for  the  MPs  Huw  Edwards  and  Llew  Smith  (1991-­‐95).  She  was  born  in  1968  and  studied  history  at  Birmingham  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meg  Munn  

 

Meg  Munn  was   first   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2001   and   is  MP   for  Sheffield  Healey.   She  cites  her  political   interests  as   social  welfare,   co-­‐operative  issues,   European   affairs   and   small   businesses,   and   is   elected   Chair   of   the  Westminster   Foundation   for   Democracy.   Munn   has   held   several   positions   in  government,   most   recently   as   Parliamentary   Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   at   the  Foreign   and   Commonwealth   Office   (2007-­‐08).   Before   this,   she   was   a   junior  minister  at   the  Department   for  Communities  and  Local  Government   (2006-­‐07)  and   at   the   Department   of   Trade   and   Industry   (2005-­‐06).   Between   2003   and  2005,   Munn   was   a   Parliamentary   Private   Secretary   at   the   Department   for  Education  and  Skills.  

Prior   to   entering   Parliament,   Munn   worked   in   local   government,   latterly   as  Assistant   Director   of   York   Council.   Before   gaining   this   post   in   1999   she   led  children’s   services   on   Wakefield   Metropolitan   District   Council   (1996-­‐99)   and  was  a  district  manager  on  Barnsley  Metropolitan  Council   (1992-­‐96).  Munn  had  previously  worked  as  a  social  worker   in  Nottingham,  where  she  also  served  on  the   City   council   between   1987   and   1991.   She   began   her   social  work   career   in  Berkshire   in   1981,   after   studying   at   the   Universities   of   York   and   Nottingham.  Munn  was  born  in  1959.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa  Nandy  

 

Lisa  Nandy  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  Wigan.  She  is  currently  Shadow  Children’s  Minister,  with  responsibility  for  safeguarding  children   in   care   and   adoption.   Prior   to   this,   she   was   Parliamentary   Private  Secretary  to  Tessa  Jowell  as  Shadow  Minister  for  London  and  the  Olympics.  Her  policy  interests  include  housing,  poverty  and  children.  

Prior  to  entering  Parliament,  Nandy  worked  in  the  charity  sector  and  as  a   local  councillor.   Between   2005   and     2010   she   was   a   senior   policy   advisor   at   The  Children’s   Society,   for   the   latter   four   years   balancing   this   with   work   on  Hammersmith  and  Fulham  Council.  Before  gaining  her  position  at  The  Children’s  Society,   Nandy   spent   two   years   at   the   homelessness   charity   Centrepoint.   She  began  her  career  as  a  parliamentary  researcher  and  caseworker  for  Labour  MP  Neil  Gerrard.  Nandy  was  born  in  1979  and  studied  at  Newcastle  University  and  the  University  of  London.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pamela  Nash  

 

Pamela  Nash  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  Airdrie  and   Shotts.   She   is   currently     Parliamentary   Private   Secretary   to   the   Shadow  Secretary  of  State  for  Northern  Ireland,  Vernon  Coaker.  Prior  to  this,  she  was  PPS  to  Margaret  Curran,  Shadow  Secretary  of  State  for  Scotland,  from  2011  to  2012.  During  2011,  she  served  Ann  McKechin,  Shadow  Secretary  of  State  for  Scotland,  and  Shaun  Woodward,  Shadow  Secretary  of  State  for  Northern  Ireland.  She  is  a  member   of   the   Select   Committees   for   Science   and  Technology   and   for   Scottish  Affairs.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Nash   worked   as   a   researcher   for   John   Reid,   the  previous   holder   of   her   seat.   She   was   born   in   1984   and   studied   at   Glasgow  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiona  O’Donnell  

 

Fiona  O’Donnell  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  East  Lothian.   Her   policy   interests   include   education,   careers   and   social   inclusion.  From  October  2011  to  June  2012,  she  served  as  Shadow  Minister  for  the  Natural  Environment   and   Fisheries   under   Ed   Miliband.   She   currently   sits   on   the  International   Development   Committee.   During   her   time   in   Parliament,   she   has  also   served   as   a   member   of   the   Scottish   Affairs   Select   Committee   and   as  Parliamentary   Private   Secretary   to   the   then   Shadow   Secretary   of   State   for  Health,  John  Healey.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   O’Donnell   was   a   campaigner   and   development  officer   with   the   Scottish   Labour   Party.   She   had   previously   worked   in   the  voluntary   sector,   where   she   was   especially   involved   with   children   with  behavioural  difficulties,  and  adults  with  mental  health  problems.  She  was  born  in  1960.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chi  Onwurah  

 

Chi   Onwurah   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   and   is   MP   for  Newcastle   Central.   Her   policy   interests   include   education,   technology,  manufacturing   and   international   development,   and   she   is   currently   a   Shadow  Minister  for  Business,  Innovation  and  Skills.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Onwurah   worked   in   telecommunications,   most  recently   as   head  of   telecoms   technology   at  OFCOM.   She  had  previously   been   a  partner   in   an   international   telecommunications   consultancy   (2001-­‐04)   and   a  director  of  product  strategy  and  market  development  at  several  other  firms.  She  began  her  career  in  1987  with  the  telecommunications  firm  Nortel.  She  was  born  in   1965   and   holds   a   degree   from   Imperial   College   London   and   an   MBA   from  Manchester  Business  School.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandra  Osborne  

 

Sandra  Osborne  was   first   elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  1997  as  MP   for  Ayr.  Her  constituency  boundaries  changed   in  2005  and  she   is  now  MP   for  Ayr,  Carrick  and  Cumnock.  In  January  2011,  she  was  appointed  by  the  Speaker  to  the  Panel  of  Chairs,  and  she  currently  sits  on  the  Select  Committees  for  Defence  and  for  European  Scrutiny.    During  her  time  in  Parliament,  she  has  also  served  on  the  select   committees   for   Information,   Scottish  Affairs,   European   Scrutiny,   Foreign  Affairs,  Defence  and  the  Armed  Forces  Bill.  Osborne  was  a  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary  for  several  years  but  stepped  down  in  2003  in  opposition  to  the  Iraq  war.   She   had   previously   been   PPS   to   Helen   Liddell,   Secretary   of   State   for  Scotland   (2002-­‐03),   and   to   George   Foulkes   and   Brian   Wilson,   successive  Ministers  of  State  at  the  Scotland  Office  (1999-­‐2002).  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Osborne  worked  for  Kilmarnock  Women’s  Aid.  Her  work  with   abused  women   earned   her   a   place   among   the   finalists   of   the   1997  Scottish  Woman  of  the  Year  Awards.  Between  1990  and  97  Osborne  was  also  a  local   councillor,   for   the   latter   two   years   serving   as   a   convener   of   housing   and  social  services.  She  studied  at  Strathclyde  University  during  this  time,  gaining  a  Masters  in  Equality  and  Discrimination  in  1992.  Osborne  was  born  in  1956.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teresa  Pearce  

 

Teresa  Pearce  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  Erith  and  Thamesmead.  She  is  currently  a  member  of  the  Select  Committee  for  Work  and  Pensions  and  of   the  Treasury  Select  Committee.    Her  main  policy   interests  are  tax  reform  and  children  in  care.  

Before   joining  Parliament,   she  worked   for   the   Inland  Revenue   and   as   a   Senior  Manager   at   PricewaterhouseCoopers   specializing   in   tax   investigations.   She   has  extensive   knowledge   of   the   UK   tax   system   and   is   an   expert   on   the   National  Minimum  Wage.  She  also  worked  as  a   local  councillor   for  Erith  and  as  a  school  governor  for  a  primary  school  and  a  grammar  school  in  her  area.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridget  Phillipson  

 

Bridget   Phillipson   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   as   MP   for  Houghton   and   Sunderland   South.   She   is   currently   a  member   on   the   Speaker’s  Committee  on  the  Electoral  Commission  and  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary  to  Jim   Murphy,   as   Shadow   Secretary   of   Defence.   She   also   serves   on   the   Select  Committee   for   Home   Affairs.   Her   policy   interests   include   housing,   the   armed  forces,  children,  and  pensioner  poverty.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Phillipson   worked   for   a   local   charity,   managing   a  refuge   for   women   and   children   fleeing   domestic   violence.   She   had   previously  worked  on  Sunderland  City  Council  for  two  years.  Phillipson  joined  the  council  in  2005,  after  graduating  from  Oxford  University  where  she  was  chair  of  the  Labour  Club.  She  was  born  in  1983.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dawn  Primarolo  

 

Dawn  Primarolo  was   first  elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  1987  as  MP   for  Bristol   South.   She   has   occupied   numerous   government   posts   and   is   currently  Deputy   Chairman   of   Ways   and   Means   and   Deputy   Speaker   o   f   the   House   of  Commons.  Prior  to  this,  she  spent  a  year  as  Minister  of  State  at  the  Department  for   Children,   Schools   and   Families   (2009-­‐10),   and   two   years   as   Minister   for  Public  Health  (2007-­‐09).  Much  of  Primarolo’s  earlier  parliamentary  career  was  spent   at   the   Treasury,   where   she   was   Paymaster   General   (1999-­‐2007)   and  Financial  Secretary  (1997-­‐99).  By  the  time  Labour  entered  government  in  1997,  Primarolo   had   already   carved   out   a   career   on   the   frontbenches,   acting   as  Opposition  Spokesperson  for  both  the  Treasury  and  Economic  Affairs  (1994  and  97)   and  Health   (1992   and  94).   Formerly   known  as   ‘Red  Dawn’,   she   joined   the  Commons  as  a  staunch  left-­‐winger  and  member  of  the  Socialist  Campaign  Group.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Primarolo   was   a   local   councillor,   political   activist  and  PhD  student.  She  served  on  Avon  County  Council  between  1985  and  1987,  and  prior  to  that  worked  as  a  secretary  and  book-­‐keeper.  She  began  her  career  in  1972   as   an   advisor   at   East   London   Law   Centre.   She   was   born   in   1954   and  studied  at  the  University  of  West  England.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yasmin  Qureshi  

 

Yasmin   Qureshi  was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   and   is  MP   for  Bolton  East  South  East.  Her  policy  interests  include  crime,  education  and  young  people,  and  she  is  a  member  of  the  Justice  Select  Committee.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Qureshi   was   a   practising   barrister.   She   has   had   a  varied   legal   career,   in   recent   years   acting   as   a   human   rights   advisor   to   Ken  Livingstone   (2004-­‐08)   and  pursuing   cases   on  behalf   of   the  Crown  Prosecution  Service.  Prior  to  this,  Qureshi  was  part  of  the  UN  mission  to  Kosovo,  directing  the  department   of   Judicial   Administration   (2001-­‐02)   and   leading   the   mission’s  Criminal  Legal  Section  (2000-­‐01).  She  began  her  career  at   the  bar   in  1987  as  a  Crown  Prosecutor,  having  completed  a  pupillage  over  the  course  of  the  previous  two   years.   Qureshi   was   born   in   1963   and   studied   at   London   Southbank  University  and  University  College  London.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel  Reeves  

 

Rachel  Reeves  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  Leeds  West.  She  is  currently  Shadow  Chief  Secretary  to  the  Treasury,  having  previously  served   as   Shadow  Pensions  Minister   from  October   2010   to  October   2011.  Her  policy  interests  include  education,  the  economy  and  foreign  affairs.  

Prior  to  entering  Parliament,  Reeves  was  an  economic  analyst  at  the  Halifax  Bank  of   Scotland   (2006-­‐10).   During   this   time,   she   established   herself   as   a   voice   of  economic  expertise,  producing  several   important  pamphlets  and  articles  on  the  future  of  financial  markets.  Before  joining  Halifax,  Reeves  worked  for  the  Bank  of  England   (2004-­‐06,  2000-­‐02)  and  at   the  British  Embassy   in  Washington   (2002-­‐03).   She   was   born   in   1979   and   studied   at   Oxford   University   and   the   London  School  of  Economics.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emma  Reynolds  

 

Emma  Reynolds  was   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   2010   and   is  MP   for  Wolverhampton  North  East.  She  is  currently  junior  Shadow  Minister  for  Europe.  Since   joining   Parliament,   she   has   also   served   on   the   Select   Committees   for  Foreign   Affairs   and   Arms   Export   Controls.   Her   other   policy   interests   include  public  services,  the  economy  and  manufacturing.  

Reynolds   worked   as   a   public   affairs   consultant   between   2009-­‐10,   going   part-­‐time  to  enable  her  to  concentrate  on  her  election  campaign.  Before  her  selection,  Reynolds  was   a   Special   Advisor   to   Geoff   Hoon  MP,   supporting   him   during   his  time   as   Chief-­‐Whip   (2007-­‐08)   and   as  Minister   for   Europe   (2006-­‐07).   She   had  previously  worked   in   Brussels,   as   a   political   advisor   to   the   Party   of   European  Socialists  (2004-­‐06)  and  as  a  policy  researcher  for  Small  Business  Europe,  a  firm  she   helped   establish   (2001-­‐04).   Reynolds   began   her   career   as   an   information  officer   at   the   European   Commission   (2000-­‐01).   She   was   born   in   1977   and  studied  at  Oxford  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linda  Riordan  

 

Linda   Riordan   was   first   elected   in   2005   and   is   MP   for   Halifax.   Her   policy  interests  include  transport,  culture,  media  and  sport,  and  she  is  a  member  of  the  Chairmen’s   Panel.   Riordan   positions   herself   on   the   left   of   the   party   and   is   a  member  of  the  Socialist  Campaign  Group.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Riordan  spent  four  years  as  private  secretary  to  her  predecessor   as   MP   for   Halifax,   Alice   Mahon.   She   also   served   on   Calderdale  Metropolitan   Borough   Council   (1995-­‐2006),   latterly   as   deputy   leader   of   the  Labour   Group.   During   her   time   on   the   council   she   held   various   voluntary  positions,   including   non-­‐executive   director   of   the   Calderdale   and  Huddersfield  NHS  Trust,  chairwoman  of  the  Ovenden  Initiative,  and  board  member  of  Pennine  Housing.  Riordan  completed  a  degree  at  Bradford  University  in  1997,  having  left  her   previous   job   at   Midland   Bank   after   struggling   with   chronic   rheumatoid  arthritis.  She  was  born  in  1953.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joan  Ruddock  

 

Joan  Ruddock  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1987  and  is  MP  for  Lewisham  Deptford.  Her  political  interests  include  women,  the  environment  and  foreign  affairs.  Following  her  re-­‐election   in  2010,  she  was  appointed  as  a  Privy  Councillor  and  in  2012,  received  a  DBE  in  recognition  of  her  public  and  political  service.   In   2010,   she   was   Shadow   Minister   for   Energy   and   Climate   Change.  Before   gaining   this   portfolio,   Ruddock   was   appointed   Minister   of   State   with  responsibility   for  climate  change  and  energy  efficiency   in  2009.  Previously,  she  had  worked  as  Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary  of  State  in  the  same  department  from   2008   to   2009   and   in   the   Department   for   Environment,   Food   and   Rural  Affairs  from  2007  to  2008.    Ruddock  used  her  earlier  years  on  the  backbenches  to   champion   a   variety   of   causes,   successfully   bringing   in   Bills   on   recycling,  mastectomy,  women-­‐only   selection   lists,   and   organic   food   and   farming.   Before  losing  office  in  1998,  Ruddock  had  been  Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary  of  State  for   Women   (1997-­‐98),   and   Opposition   Spokesperson   for   Environmental  Protection  (1994-­‐97),  Home  Affairs  (1992-­‐94)  and  Transport  (1989-­‐92).  

Ruddock  was   a  well-­‐known   political   figure   before   her   entrance   to   Parliament,  having  chaired  the  Campaign  for  Nuclear  Disarmament  between  1981  and  1985  and  played  a  prominent  role   in   the   feminist,  anti-­‐militarist  Greenham  Common  protests.  Ruddock  was  also  manager  of  Reading  Citizens  Advice  Bureau  during  this   time   (1979-­‐86).   She   had   previously  worked   on   Berkshire   County   Council,  where  she  was  responsible  for  programmes  aimed  at  unemployed  young  people  (1977-­‐79).   Prior   to   this,   Ruddock   worked   for   the   housing   charities   Oxford  Housing  Aid  Centre  (1973-­‐77)  and  Shelter  (1968-­‐73).  She  was  born  in  1943  and  studied  at  Imperial  College,  London.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alison  Seabeck  

 

Alison   Seabeck  was   first   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2005   as  MP   for  Plymouth  Devonport.  Her  constituency  boundaries   changed   in  2010  and  she   is  now   MP   for   Plymouth   Moor   View.   Seabeck   is   currently   Shadow   Minister   for  Defence.   Before   gaining   this   portfolio,   she   was   Shadow   Minister   for   Housing  from   2010   to   2011.   In   addition   to   this,   Seabeck   chairs   the   PLP   South   West  Regional  Group.  She  has  spent  much  of  her  time  in  the  Commons  assisting  Geoff  Hoon,  most   recently   as   his   Parliamentary   Private   Secretary   at   the  Department  for   Transport   (2008-­‐09).   Prior   to   this,   she   was   one   of   Hoon’s   Assistant  Government  Whips   (2007-­‐08),   and  his  PPS  during  his   time  as  Europe  Minister  (2006-­‐07).  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Seabeck  spent  eighteen  years  as  a  political  assistant  and   advisor,  working   for  Nick  Raynsford   during   his   time   as  Minister   for   Local  Government   (1992-­‐2005)   and   for  Roy  Hattersley,   then  Home  Secretary   (1987-­‐92).   She   had   previously   worked   as   a   further   education   administrator,  recruitment   consultant,   and   as   a   Marks   and   Spencer   management   trainee.  Seabeck  was  born  in  1954  and  studied  at  the  University  of  East  London.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angela  Smith  

 

Angela   Smith   was   first   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2005   as   MP   for  Sheffield  Hillsborough.  Her  constituency  boundaries  changed  in  2010  and  she  is  now  MP  for  Penistone  and  Stocksbridge.  Her  main  policy  interests  are  education  and   skills,   pensions,   and   the   environment,   and   she   is   currently   the   Shadow  Deputy   Leader   of   the   House.   Prior   to   this,   she   was   an   Assistant   Whip.   Smith  spent   three   years   as   Parliamentary   Private   Secretary   to   Yvette   Cooper   at   the  Department   of   Local   Government   and   at   the   Treasury,   gaining   the   job   almost  immediately  on  entering  parliament.  

Prior   to  her  election,  Smith  was  an  executive  member  of  Sheffield  City  Council,  with   responsibility   for   education.   During   her   time   in   the   council’s   Cabinet   she  was   also   a   member   of   the   Regional   Education   and   Skills   Commission   and  Sheffield  First   for  Learning  and  Work   (2002-­‐05).   Smith  became  a   councillor   in  1996  whilst  an  English   teacher  at  Dearne  Valley  College.  She   joined  the  college  after  spending   four  years  working   towards  a  PhD  at  Cambridge  University  and  earning  a  degree  from  Nottingham  University.  Before  entering  further  education  as  a  mature  student  in  1987,  Smith  worked  as  a  secretary  for  Barclays  Bank  and  the  NHS  (1979-­‐87).  She  was  born  in  1961.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gisela  Stuart  

 

Gisela  Stuart  was   first  elected  to   the  House  of  Commons   in  1997  and   is  MP  for  Birmingham   Edgbaston.   Her   policy   interests   include   pensions   (particularly  provision  for  women),  constitutional  reform  and  the  European  Union,  and  she  is  a  member  of  the  Defence  Select  Committee.  Between  2002  and  2004,  Stuart  was  Labour’s   Parliamentary   representative   on   the   Convention   on   the   Future   of  Europe,   the   body   formed   to   produce   a   draft   constitution   for   the   EU.   She   had  previously   been   Parliamentary   Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   at   the   Department   of  Health  (1999-­‐2001)  and  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary  to  Paul  Boateng  during  his  time  at  the  Home  Office  (1998-­‐99).  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Stuart   was   a   law   lecturer   at  Worcester   College   of  Technology  and  Birmingham  University   (1992-­‐97).  She  entered  academia  after  completing   a   law   degree   through   the   University   of   London   External   Study  System  in  1992.  She  had  previously  worked  as  a  bookseller,  directing  the  London  Book  Fair  in  1983.  Stuart  was  born  in  1955  in  West  Germany.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emily  Thornberry  

 

Emily  Thornberry  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2005  and  is  MP  for   Islington   and   Finsbury.   Her   main   policy   interests   are   the   environment,  housing  and  poverty,  and  she  is  currently  the  Shadow  Attorney  General.  Before  this,   she   was   a   junior   Shadow   Minister   for   Health   from   2010-­‐2011   and   for  Energy   and   Climate   Change   in   2010.   On   entering   Parliament,   she   achieved  success  in  securing  the  adoption  of  many  elements  of  her  2006  Private  Members  Bill,  which  sought  to  give  greater  local  accountability  to  Housing  Associations.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Thornberry  was  a  barrister  at  the  well-­‐known  Tooks  Court   chambers,   where   she   specialised   in   criminal   defence,   inquests,   actions  against  the  police,  courts  martial  and  extradition  (1985-­‐2005).  During  this  time,  she   also   campaigned   for  more   family-­‐friendly   employment   policies   and   better  access  to  childcare,  helping  found  the  Parental  Leave  Foundation.  She  was  born  in  1960  and  studied  at  Canterbury  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valerie  Vaz  

 

Valerie  Vaz  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010.  Her  policy  interests  include   constitutional   affairs,   international   development   and   science   and  technology,  and  she  is  currently  a  member  of  the  Health  Select  Committee.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Vaz   worked   for   the   Government   Legal   Service,  spending   time   at   the   Ministry   of   Justice   and   Treasury   Solicitors   Department  (2001-­‐09).  Prior  to  joining  the  GLS,  she  sat  as  a  Deputy  District  Judge,  and  briefly  worked  as  a  BBC  local  news  presenter  (1987).  Vaz  also  served  on  Ealing  Council  during  this  time  (1986-­‐90),  acting  as  Deputy  Leader  between  1988  and  89.  Vaz’s  early   years   as   a   solicitor  were   spent   in   local   government   and   at   City   law   firm  Herbert  Smith.  She  qualified  as  a  solicitor  in  1982  after  first  spending  two  years  as   an   animal   nutrition   researcher   at   Cambridge   University.   Vaz   was   born   in  1955.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joan  Walley  

 

Joan  Walley  was   first   elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  1987  and   is  MP   for  Stoke-­‐on-­‐Trent   North.   Her   policy   interests   include   the   environment,   public  health  and  small  businesses,  and  she  is  currently  Chair  of  the  Select  Committee  on  Environmental  Audit  and  a  member  of  the  Liaison  Select  Committee.  She  was  last   on   the   Labour   frontbench   in   1995   as   Opposition   Spokesperson   for  Transport.   Prior   to   gaining   this   role   in   1990,   she   was   Spokesperson   for  Environmental  Protection  and  Development,  a  role  she  gained  after  just  a  year  in  the  Commons.  

Before   entering   Parliament,  Walley  was   a  member   of   Lambeth   Council,   where  she  chaired  the  social  services  committee  (1982-­‐85).  Prior  to  this,  she  worked  in  the  planning  departments  of  Lambeth  and  Swansea  Councils  (1974-­‐89).  Walley’s  first  job  involved  work  with  recovering  alcoholics  (1970-­‐73).  She  gained  this  role  after   completing   a   diploma   in   community   work   at   Swansea   University   and   a  degree  in  social  administration  at  Hull  University.  Walley  was  born  in  1949.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosie  Winterton  

 

Rosie  Winterton  was   first  elected  to   the  House  of  Commons   in  1997  and   is  MP  for  Doncaster  Central.  Widely  regarded  as  a  unifying  figure,  she  was  elected  Chief  Whip   in   the   2010   Shadow   Cabinet   elections.   Winterton   has   held   numerous  ministerial   positions   and,   before   gaining   the   Whip’s   office,   was   both   Shadow  Leader  of  the  House  of  Commons  and  Shadow  Minister  for  Women.  Prior  to  the  last   election,   Winterton   held   the   Regional   Economic   Development   portfolio,  which  involved  collaborative  work  with  the  Department  for  Business,  Innovation  and   Skills   and   the  Department   for   Communities   and  Local  Government   (2009-­‐10).  She  had  previously  been  Minister   for  Pensions  (2008-­‐09)  and  Minister   for  Yorkshire  and   the  Humber   (2008-­‐10),   gaining   the  posts   after   spending   several  years   as   a   junior   minister   at   the   Departments   for   Transport   (2007-­‐08)   and  Health  (2003-­‐07).  Winterton  gained  her  first  government  post  in  2001  when  she  was  appointed  Parliamentary  Secretary  at  the  Lord  Chancellor’s  Department.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Winterton  ran  John  Prescott’s  private  office,  helping  orchestrate  his  campaigns   for   the   leadership  and  deputy   leadership  (1994-­‐97).  She  had  previously  been  a  managing  director  at  Connect  Public  Affairs,  a  post  she  gained  after  spending  four  years  as  parliamentary  officer  at  the  Royal  College  of  Nursing  and  Southwark  Council  (1986-­‐90).  Winterton  began  her  career  as  John  Prescott’s  constituency  assistant  (1980-­‐86).  She  was  born  in  1958  and  studied  at  Hull  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversative  MPs    

Harriett  Baldwin  

 

Harriett  Baldwin  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  as  MP  for  West  Worcestershire.  Her  policy   interests  are  pensions,  economics,  social  enterprise,  and   micro-­‐finance,   and   she   is   a   member   of   the   Work   and   Pensions   Select  Committee.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Baldwin  was  a  managing  director  at  JPMorgan.  Prior  to   gaining   promotion   in   2007   she   spent   eight   years   as   head   of   currency  management.   She   is   a   keen   advocate   of   deregulation   and   during   this   time   co-­‐authored   a   report   for   the   Centre   for   Policy   Studies   (2005)   calling   for   lighter  regulation   of   the   City   by   the   Financial   Services   Authority.   Baldwin   joined  bankers  JPMorgan  in  1986,  having  already  completed  an  MBA  and  spent  a  year  as   a  Treasury  analyst   in  Canada.   She  began  her   career   in   finance   in  1982  with  Security  Pacific  National  Bank.  Baldwin  was  born  in  1960  and  studied  at  Oxford  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicola  Blackwood  

 

Nicola   Blackwood   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   as   MP   for  Oxford  West  and  Abingdon.  She  is  particularly  interested  in  civil  liberties  and  is  a  member  of   the  Home  Affairs  Select  Committee.  Blackwood   is  also  a  member  of  the  Conservative  Party  Human  Rights  Commission.  

Before  unexpectedly    defeating  the  incumbent  Liberal  Democrat  candidate,  Evan  Harris,  Blackwood  worked  as  a  volunteer  on  human  rights  and  aid  projects  in  the  Middle  East,  Mozambique,  Rwanda  and  Bangladesh.  She  has  also  been  an  advisor  to   the   Conservative   International   Development   Team   and   a   parliamentary  researcher   to  Andrew  Mitchell  MP.  She  was  born   in  1979  and  studied  Music  at  Oxford  and  Cambridge  Universities.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen  Bradley  

 

Karen   Bradley   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   as   MP   for  Staffordshire  Moorlands.  Her  policy  interests  include  the  economy,  rural  affairs,  home  affairs,  and  childcare,  and  she  is  a  member  of  the  Work  and  Pensions  Select  Committee.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Bradley  was  senior  manager  at  the  accountancy  firm  KPMG   (1998-­‐2004,   2007-­‐10).   She   came   to   politics   relatively   late   in   life,  becoming   an   economics   advisor   to   the   Conservative   Research   Department   in  2004,   after   first   being   seconded   to   the   Conservative   Treasury   team   in   2002.  Bradley  began  her  accountancy  career  at  Deloitte,   joining  the  company  in  1991  after  graduating  from  Imperial  College,  London.  She  was  born  in  1970.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angie  Bray  

 

Angie   Bray   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   as   MP   for   Ealing  Central  and  Acton.  Her  policy  interests  include  London,  the  NHS  and  education.  

Bray   was   able   to   devote   the   two   years   prior   to   the   2010   election   to   her  campaign.  She  had  previously  been  a  member  of  the  Greater  London  Assembly,  leading   the  Conservative   group  between  2006  and  2007,   and  acting   as  Deputy  Chair  of   the  Culture,  Sport  and  Tourism  Committee   from  2004   to  2006.  Before  gaining   a   place   on   the   Assembly   in   2000,   Bray   worked   as   a   public   affairs  consultant   (1992-­‐2000).   She  was   a  media   and   communications   advisor   to   the  Conservative   Party   between   1989   and   1992,   having   gained   a   decade   of  journalistic   experience   with   Channel   4,   London   radio,   and   British   Forces  Broadcasting.  She  was  born  in  1953  and  studied  at  St  Andrew’s  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiona  Bruce  

 

Fiona  Bruce  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  as  MP  for  Congleton.  Her  policy  interests  include  small  business  and  families,  and  she  is  a  member  of  the  Scottish  Affairs  Select  Committee.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Bruce  ran  her  own  law  firm,  Fiona  Bruce  &  Co  LLP,  and   was   a   local   councillor.   She   spent   three   of   her   six   years   on   Warrington  Borough   Council   as   an   Executive   Member   for   finance   (2006-­‐09).   During   this  time,  Bruce  was  also  involved  in  various  community  projects,  establishing  a  free  legal  clinic  and  high  street  advice  centre.  In  2003,  she  won  the  national  ‘Women  into  Business  Award’  in  recognition  of  her  success  in  establishing  her  own  firm.  Bruce  began  her  career  in  1981  with  a  City  of  London  law  firm.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Therese  Coffey  

 

Therese  Coffey  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  as  MP  for  Suffolk  Coastal.   Her   political   interests   include   rural   affairs,   enterprise,   trade,   defence,  international   development   and   animal   welfare,   and   she   is   a   member   of   the  Culture,  Media  and  Sport  Select  Committee.  Coffey  positions  herself  on  the  right  of   the   party   and   is   a   member   of   the   Thatcherite   grouping   Conservative   Way  Forward.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Coffey  was  property  finance  manager  at  the  BBC,  a  post   she  gained   in  2009.  She  had  previously  worked  as  a   finance  manager  and  accountant   at   Mars   Drinks   (1997-­‐2009).   Coffey   has   a   long   history   of  Conservative  Party   involvement:  she  was  deputy  chair  of   the  South  East  region  in  2009,  chaired  North  West  Hampshire  Conservatives  from  2006  to  2009,  was  the  Conservative  candidate  for  Wrexham  in  2005  and  was  national  deputy  chair  of  Conservative  Students  between  1993  and  1994.  Coffey  was  born  in  1971  and  studied  at  Oxford  University  before  gaining  a  PhD  in  Chemistry  from  University  College  London.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracey  Crouch  

 

Tracey  Crouch  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  as  MP  for  Chatham  and   Aylseford.   Her   policy   interests   include   home   affairs,   education,   sport   and  economic  affairs.  

Before   gaining   her   seat,   Crouch   was   head   of   public   affairs   at   Norwich  Union/Aviva.  Prior  to  joining  the  company  in  2005,  she  worked  in  parliament  as  Chief   of   Staff   to   David   Davis,   then   Shadow   Home   Secretary   (2003-­‐05),   and   to  Damian  Green,  then  Shadow  Education  Secretary  (2003).  Crouch  had  previously  worked   for   public   affairs   firms  Westminster   Strategy   (2000-­‐03)   and   Harcourt  (1998-­‐2000).  She  began  her  career  in  1996,  spending  two  years  as  a  researcher  to  Michael  Howard  MP.  Crouch  was  born  in  1975  and  studied  at  Hull  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caroline  Dinenage  

 

Caroline   Dinenage   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   as   MP   for  Gosport.   She   cites   her   political   interests   as   defence   (particularly   supporting  service  families),  small  businesses  and  franchising.  She  is  a  member  of  the  select  committee  for  Science  and  Technology.  

Dinenage  was  selected  as  the  Conservative  candidate  for  Gosport  in  2009  though  the   UK’s   second   Open   Primary.   Before   entering   Parliament,   Dinenage   ran   her  own  marketing   business.   Between   1998   and   2003   she   was   also   a   member   of  Winchester  District  Council.  Dinenage  was  born  in  1971  and  studied  at  Swansea  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nadine  Dorries  

 

Nadine  Dorries  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2005  and  is  the  MP  for   Mid-­‐Bedfordshire.   Her   policy   interests   include   law   and   order,   ‘social  structure,’   health   and   rural   affairs,   and   she   is   currently   a   member   of   the  Chairmen’s   Panel   of   Chairs.   Dorries   is   an   enthusiastic   blogger,   and   attracted  much  criticism  in  2009  when  she  complained  in  her  blog  that  the   investigation  into  expenses   claims  was  putting  MPs  under   such  strain   that  a   suicide   seemed  imminent.   In  2008  she  won   the  Spectator’s  Readers’  Representative  Award   for  her   efforts   to   reduce   the   upper   limit   for   abortions   to   20   weeks.   Dorries   had  previously   attempted   to   impose   greater   restrictions   on   the   availability   of  abortions  in  2006  through  a  Private  Members  Bill,  which  sought  both  to  reduce  the  time  limit  and  enforce  a  ‘cooling  off’  period  for  women  seeking  a  termination.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Dorries   spent   three   years   as   a   political   advisor   to  Oliver   Letwin   MP.   She   had   previously   been   a   director   at   BUPA,   joining   the  company   in  1998  after   she   sold  her  own  business,  Company  Kids  Ltd.  Prior   to  establishing  Company  Kids   in   1987,  Dorries  was   a  medical   rep   and  nurse.   She  was  born  in  1957.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackie  Doyle-­Price  

 

Jackie   Doyle-­‐Price   was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   as   MP   for  Thurrock.   Her   policy   interests   include   welfare,   foreign   affairs,   vocational  education   and   financial   services,   and   she   is   currently   a  member   of   the   Public  Accounts  Committee.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Doyle-­‐Price   worked   for   the   Financial   Services  Authority.  She  spent  the  previous  five  years  as  an  assistant  private  secretary  to  the   Lord   Mayor   of   the   City   of   London   (the   head   of   the   City   of   London  Corporation).  Between  1993  and  2000,  Doyle-­‐Price  was  a  parliamentary  officer  at   the   same   institution.   During   this   time,   she  was   also   Chair   of   the   Lewisham  Deptford   Constituency   Association   (1997-­‐98)   and   Treasurer   of   the   National  Association   of   Conservative   Graduates   (1994-­‐1997).   Doyle-­‐Price   began   her  career   in  1992  as  an  administrative  officer   for  South  Yorkshire  Police.  She  was  born  in  1969  and  studied  at  Durham  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jane  Ellison  

 

Jane  Ellison  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  as  MP  for  Battersea.  Her  policy   interests   include  social  exclusion,  public  services  and  transport,  and  she  is  a  member  of  the  Business  Select  Committee.  

Ellison   spent   her   pre-­‐parliamentary   career  working   for   John   Lewis,   latterly   as  senior  manager  of  the  store’s  customer  magazine.  During  this  time,  Ellison  twice  served  on  Barnet  Council.   She   joined   John  Lewis  as  a  graduate   trainee   in  1986  after  studying  at  Oxford  University,  where  she  had  been  active  in  the  (relatively)  left-­‐leaning  Tory  Reform  Group.  Ellison  was  born  in  1964.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lorraine  Fullbrook  

 

Lorraine  Fullbrook  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  South   Ribble.   Her   policy   interests   include   law   and   order,   immigration,   the   EU  and  the  economy,  and  she  is  a  member  of  the  Home  Affairs  Select  Committee.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Fullbrook  combined  work  as  a  business  consultant  with  one  day  a  week  in  Nicholas  Soames’  office.  In  2006  she  was  employed  as  a  part-­‐time   director   of  Women2Win,   the   Conservative   organisation   dedicated   to  increasing   female   representation,   despite   her   firm   objection   to   women-­‐only  short-­‐lists.  Fullbrook  had  previously  spent   two  years  on  Hart  Council,   rising   to  Council  Leader  in  her  second  year  there  (2002-­‐04).  Until  2000,  she  worked  as  a  media  and  press  advisor.  Fullbrook  was  born  in  1959.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheryl  Gillan  

 

Cheryl  Gillan  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons   in  1992  and   is  MP  for  Chesham   and   Amersham.   Until   recently,   she   was   Secretary   of   State   for  Wales  (despite  representing  a  constituency  in  Buckinghamshire),  and  was  appointed  in  May   2010   after   shadowing   the   post   for   five   years.   Gillan   has   enjoyed   a   varied  parliamentary  career,  serving  as  Shadow  Minister  for  Home  Affairs  (2003-­‐05),  as  an   Opposition   Whip   (2001-­‐03),   and   as   a   Shadow   Minister   for   International  Development   (1998-­‐2001),   Foreign   and   Commonwealth   Affairs   (1998-­‐2001)  and   Trade   and   Industry   (1997-­‐98).   She   also   pursued   extra-­‐parliamentary  interests  during  this  time,  working  as  a  consultant  for  the  financial  services  firm,  PKF,   between   1999   and   2005.   During   the   Conservatives’   last   period   in   office,  Gillan   spent   two   years   as   Parliamentary   Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   at   the  Department   of   Education   and   Employment   (1995-­‐97)   and   a   year   as  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary  to  Viscount  Cranborne  whilst  he  was  Leader  of  the  House  of  Lords  and  Lord  Privy  Seal  (1994-­‐5).  

Gillan   had   a   lengthy   career   in   business   before   joining   Parliament.   She   was   a  marketing  director  at  Kidsons  Impey  between  1991  and  1993,  and  prior  to  that  spent   five   years   as   a   senior   marketing   consultant   at   Ernst   and   Young.   Gillan  directed   British   Film   Year   from   1984   to   1986,   after   leaving   International  Management  Group,  where,  in  1977,  she  had  started  her  career.  She  was  born  in  1952  and  studied  at  the  College  of  Law.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helen  Grant  

 

Helen  Grant  was   first   elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  2010  and   is  MP   for  Maidstone   and   The   Wealds.   Her   policy   interests   include   business,   women,  families,  social  mobility  and  law  and  order,  and  she  is  Joint  Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   at   the   Ministry   of   Justice   and   for   Women’s   and   Equalities  issues.  

Prior   to   entering   Parliament,   Grant   worked   for   her   own   law   firm,   Grants  Solicitors,   where   she   specialised   in   cases   involving   divorce   and   family  breakdown.  Whilst  practising  as  a  solicitor,  she  wrote  several  articles  on  family  policy   for   the  Centre   for   Social   Justice   and   served   on   the  Conservatives’   Social  Mobility  Task  Force  (2007-­‐08).  She  has  also  worked  as  a  special  adviser  to  Oliver  Letwin   MP,   Chair   of   Party   Policy   Review.   Grant   was   appointed   to   the   role   in  2006,   almost   immediately   after   joining   the   party;   she   had   previously   been   a  Labour   member,   if   only   for   a   year   (2004-­‐05).   Before   establishing   her   own  practice   in   1996,   Grant  worked   in   a   number   of   firms,   beginning   her   career   in  1985  as  an  articled  clerk  for  Cartmell  Mawson  &  Maine,  Carlisle.  She  was  born  in  1961  and  studied  at  Hull  University  and  the  College  of  Law.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justine  Greening  

 

Justine  Greening  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons   in  2005  and  is   the  MP  for  Putney.  She  is  currently  Secretary  of  State  for  International  Development,  having  served  as  Secretary  of  State   for  Transport  prior   to   the  September  2012  reshuffle.   Her   additional   policy   interests   include   vocational   education,   youth  crime   and   the   environment.   Before   gaining   promotion   in   2011,   Greening   was  Economic  Secretary  to  the  Treasury  and  Shadow  Minister  for  Communities  and  Local   Government.   Prior   to   this,   she   was   Shadow   Minister   for   the   Treasury,  gaining  the  role  after  just  two  years  in  the  Commons.  

Greening  spent  three  years  as  a  sales  and  marketing  finance  manager  at  Centrica  before  entering  Parliament.  Prior   to   this,   she  worked  on  business   strategy  and  finance   at   GlaxoSmithKline   (1996-­‐2002).   She   gained   her   first   experience   of  politics   during   this   time,   serving   on   Epping   Town   Council   between   1998   and  2002.  Greening’s  early  career  was  spent  as  an  auditor  for  PriceWaterhouse.  She  was  born  in  1969  and  studied  at  Southampton  University  and  London  Business  School.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rebecca  Harris  

 

Rebecca  Harris  was   first   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   2010   as  MP   for  Castle  Point.  Her  policy  interests  include  small  business,  education  and  planning,  and   she   is   currently   a   member   of   the   Business,   Innovation   and   Skills   Select  Committee.  

Before  securing  her  seat,  Harris  worked  in  Parliament  as  a  part-­‐time  caseworker.  She  has  previously  been  a  marketing  director  at  Philimore  and  Co,  a  publishing  house  specialising  in  local  history  (1997-­‐2007).  During  this  time  Harris  was  also  a  Special  Adviser  to  Tim  Yeo  MP,  aiding  him  whilst  he  was  Shadow  Secretary  of  State   for  Transport  and  the  Environment,  Health  and  Education,  and  Transport  and   Industry.   Between   1999   and   2003   Harris   served   on   Chichester   District  Council,  and  prior  to  the  2001  General  Election  she  took  a  sabbatical  to  work  in  the  Conservative  Research  Department.  Harris  was  born  in  1967  and  studied  at  the  London  School  of  Economics.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margot  James  

 

Margot   James  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons   in  2010  and   is   the  MP  for  Stourbridge.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Business,  Innovation  and  Skills  Committee,  and  until  2010,  also  held   the  post  of  Vice-­‐Chair  of   the  Conservative  Party,  with  special   responsibilities   for   women’s   issues.   James   is   the   Conservatives’   first  openly   lesbian  MP,   and   at   party   conference   publicly   urged   gay   people   to   vote  Tory   on   the   basis   that   they   have   fewer   children   and   are   therefore   net  contributors  to  public  services.  

James   has   pursued   a   successful   career   in   business,   and   before   entering  Parliament   was   head   of   European   healthcare   at   Ogilvy   &   Mather,   the   firm   to  which   she   sold   her   own  health   consultancy,   Shire  Health,   in   1999.  During   this  time,  James  was  also  elected  to  Kensington  and  Chelsea  Council  (2006-­‐08),  and  appointed   Vice-­‐Chair   of   the   Party   (2005).   She   had   only   re-­‐joined   the  Conservatives  two  years  prior  to  this,  having  left  in  1990  in  dismay  at  the  ousting  of  Thatcher.  Before  co-­‐founding  Shire  Health   in  1986,   James  worked  as  a  press  officer   in   the   Conservative   Central   Office   and   as   a   researcher   to   Sir   Anthony  Durant  MP.  She  started  work  in  1979  in  her  Father’s  business,  after  graduating  from   the   London   School   of   Economics,   where   she   had   been   head   of   the  Conservative  association.  James  was  born  in  1958.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eleanor  Laing  

 

Eleanor  Laing  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1997  and  is  MP  for  Epping  Forrest.  Her  main  policy  interests  are  education,  transport,  the  economy  and   constitutional   affairs,   and   she   is   currently   a   member   of   the   Political   and  Constitutional  Reform  Select  Committee.  Laing  lost  credibility  in  2009  when  she  faced  a  revolt  among  her  constituents,  who  were  shocked  by  the  revelation  that  she   had   avoided   paying   £180,000   of   capital   gains   tax   on   the   sale   of   two   flats  funded  by   the   taxpayer.  She  had  made  an  estimated  profit  of  £1  million  on   the  flats  and,  though  the  evasion  was  not   illegal,  David  Cameron  insisted  she  repay  £25,000  in  partial  recompense.  Until  2010,  Laing  had  spent  an  unbroken  decade  on  the  Conservative   frontbench.  During  this   time,  she  was  Shadow  Minister   for  Justice  (2007-­‐10),  Shadow  Minister  for  Women  and  Equality  (2004-­‐07),  Shadow  Secretary  of  State  for  Scotland  (2005)  and  Shadow  Minister  for  Children  (2003).  She   had   previously   been   Opposition   Spokesperson   for   Education   and   Skills  (2001-­‐03)  and  Constitutional  Affairs  and  Scotland  (2000-­‐01),  and  an  Opposition  Whip  (1999-­‐2000).  

Laing   spent   nine   years   as   a   Parliamentary   Special   Advisor   to   John  MacGregor  before  winning  her  seat   in  the  Commons.  Prior  to  gaining  the  role,  Laing  was  a  solicitor,  working   in   London   and   Edinburgh   (1983-­‐89).   She  was   born   in   1958  and  studied  at  Edinburgh  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pauline  Latham  

 

Pauline  Latham  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  as  the  MP  for  Mid  Derbyshire.  She  has  a  special  interest  in  education  issues  and  is  a  member  of  the  International  Development  Select  Committee.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Latham   was   a   local   councillor   and   director   of  Michael  St.  Development.  She  served  on  Derby  City  Council   from  1992  to  1996  and  from  1998  to  2010,  and  spent  a  year  as  the  City’s  Mayor  in  the  intervening  time.   Latham  was   also   a  member   of   Derbyshire   County   Council   from   1987   to  2002.  Prior  to  this,  she  ran  her  own  business,  Humble  Plc.  Latham  was  born   in  1948.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrea  Leadsom  

 

Andrea  Leadsom  was  elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  2010  as   the  MP   for  South  Northamptonshire.  Her  main  policy   interests   are   the  economy  and  early  years  development,  and  she  is  a  member  of  the  Treasury  Select  Committee.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Leadsom   worked   in   the   banking   and   finance  industry,  most  recently  as  Head  of  Corporate  Governance  for  Invesco  Perpetual.  In  recent  years  she  has  also  chaired  the  Oxford  Parent  Infant  Project  (2001-­‐)  and  served  on  South  Oxfordshire  District  Council   (2003-­‐07).  Before   joining   Invesco  Perpetual   in  1999,  Leadsom  spent  two  years  as  Managing  Director  of  a  London  hedge  fund,  and  six  years  as  a  financial  institutions  director  at  Barclays  Bank.  She  was  born  in  1963  and  studied  at  Warwick  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jessica  Lee  

 

Jessica  Lee  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  Erewash.  She  is  currently  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary  to  Dominic  Grieve  as  Attorney  General.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Lee  was  a  barrister,   specialising   in   family   law.  She  recently   worked   on   the   ‘Breakdown   Britain’   Report   by   the   Centre   for   Social  Justice,   examining   how   the   voluntary   sector   can   assist   in   the   area   of   family  breakdown   across   the   UK.   Lee   qualified   as   a   barrister   in   2000,   after   first  graduating   from  Royal  Holloway  with  a  degree   in  History  and  Politics.  She  was  chairperson  of  the  Conservative  Association  whilst  at  university.  Lee  was  born  in  1976.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte  Leslie  

 

Charlotte  Leslie  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  Bristol  North  West.  Her  chief  policy  interest  is  education.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Leslie   was   public   affairs   officer   for   the   National  Autistic  Society.  She  also  edited  ‘Crossbow’,  the  magazine  of  the  centre-­‐right  Bow  Group.   Prior   to   gaining   selection,   Leslie   was   Special   Adviser   to   Shadow  Education  Secretary,  David  Willetts.  She  authored  numerous  reports  during  this  time,  including  The  Truth  About  Inclusion  and  The  Invisible  Children  for  the  Bow  Group,  and  More  Good  School  Places  for  the  Policy  Exchange.  She  has  previously  worked  for  the  Young  Foundation  and  began  her  career  at  the  BBC,  working  on  television  production.  Leslie  was  born  in  1978  and  studied  at  Oxford  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen  Lumley  

 

Karen  Lumley  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  Redditch.  Her   policy   interests   include   education,   health   and   foreign   affairs,  and  she  is  a  member  of  the  Welsh  Affairs  Select  Committee.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Lumley  was  company  secretary   for  RKL  Geological  Services   Ltd   and   a   political   consultant   for   the   Westminster   Foundation   for  Democracy’s  Conservative  Programme.  In  recent  years,  Lumley  has  also  worked  as   a   local   councillor,   serving   on   Redditch   Borough   Council   (2001-­‐03),   Clwyd  County   Council   (1993-­‐96),   and   Wrexham   Borough   Council   (1991-­‐96).   Before  joining   RKL,   Lumley  worked   at   Ford  Motor   Company,   as   a   trainee   accountant  (1982-­‐84),  and  at  John  Bull  Group,  as  an  assistant  accountant  (1984-­‐85).  She  was  born  in  1964  and  studied  at  East  Warwickshire  College  of  Further  Education.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary  Macleod  

 

Mary  Macleod  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  Brentford  and   Isleworth.  Her  policy   interests   include  education,  health  and  the   constitution,   and   she   is   currently  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary   to  Maria  Miller  as  Secretary  of  State  for  Culture,  Media  and  Sport  and  Minister  for  Women  and  Equalities.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Macleod   ran   her   own   consulting   firm,   providing  advisory   services   to   multinationals.   She   has   also   worked   as   a   policy   advisor,  aiding  Liam  Fox  MP,  David  Willetts  MP,  Theresa  May  MP,  Caroline  Spelman  MP  and  Lord  Strathclyde.  Prior  to  this,  Macleod  was  employed  as  a  policy  advisor  to  the   Royal   Family   (1998-­‐9).   She   began   her   career   as   a  management   consultant  with   Anderson   Consulting   (now   Accenture).   Macleod   was   born   in   1968   and  studied  at  Glasgow  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anne  Main  

 

Anne  Main  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2005  and  is  the  MP  for  St   Albans.   Her   policy   interests   include   the   environment,   education   and   health,  and  she  is  a  member  of  the  Chairmen’s  Panel.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Main   spent   four   years   on   South   Buckinghamshire  District  Council  (2001-­‐05).  She  has  spent  several  years  as  a  teacher,  working  as  a  supply  teacher  between  1991  and  1995.  Main  also  taught  English  for  a  year  after  gaining  a  PGCE  from  Sheffield  University  in  1979.  She  was  born  in  1957.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theresa  May  

 

Theresa  May  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1997  and  is  the  MP  for  Maidenhead.  She  has  spent  a  decade  in  the  top  echelons  of  the  party,  and  is  currently  Home  Secretary.  Before  gaining  a  place  in  the  current  cabinet,  May  was  Shadow   Secretary   of   State   for   Work   and   Pensions   (2009-­‐10)   and   Shadow  Minister  for  Women  (2007-­‐10).  She  had  previously  spent  four  years  as  Shadow  Leader   of   the   House   of   Commons   (2005-­‐09).   Between   1999   and   2005,   May  occupied  numerous  Shadow  Secretary  of  State  positions,  holding  responsibility  for   Culture,   Media   and   Sport   (2005),   the   Family   (2004-­‐05),   Environment   and  Transport   (2002-­‐04),  Transport,   Local  Government  and   the  Regions   (2001-­‐02)  and  Education  and  Employment  (1999-­‐2001).  She  was  also  made  Party  Chair  in  2002,  becoming  the  first  woman  to  take  on  the  role.  Before  gaining  promotion  to  the  Shadow  Cabinet   in  1999,  May  was  Opposition  Spokeswoman   for  Education  and  Employment  (1998-­‐99).  

Prior  to  entering  Parliament,  May  was  Senior  Adviser  on  International  Affairs  at  the   Association   for   Payment   Clearing   Services   (1996-­‐97).   She   had   previously  spent  seven  years  as  head  of  the  European  Affairs  Unit  of  the  same  organisation  (1989-­‐96).  Between  1986  and  1994,  May  served  on  Merton  Council   in  London,  becoming   deputy   leader   of   the   Tories,   and   also   chairing   the   education  committee.  Her  first  job  was  with  the  Bank  of  England,  a  position  she  gained  in  1977  after  graduating  from  Oxford  University.  She  was  born  in  1956.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anne  McIntosh  

 

Anne  McIntosh  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1997  as  the  MP  for  the  Vale  of  York.  She  moved  constituency  in  2010  after  boundary  changes  and  is  now  the  MP  for  Thirsk  and  Malton.  McIntosh’s  policy  interests  include  transport,  tourism,   legal  affairs  and  animal  welfare,  and  she   is  currently  a  member  of   the  Chairman’s   Panel   and   Chair   of   the   Environment,   Food   and  Rural   Affairs   Select  Committee.  She  has  held  numerous  frontbench  positions  over  the  last  decade,  in  recent   years   serving   as   Shadow  Minister   for   the  Environment,   Food   and  Rural  Affairs  (2007-­‐10)  and  for  Children,  Young  People  and  Families  (2006-­‐07).  Prior  to   this,   McIntosh   was   Shadow   Minister   for   Work   and   Pensions   (2005-­‐06),  Foreign   Affairs   (2005),   Environment   and   Transport   (2003-­‐05)   and   Transport  (2002-­‐03).  She  first  gained  promotion  from  the  backbenches  in  2001  when  she  was  made  Opposition  Spokesperson  for  Culture,  Media  and  Sport.  

During   her   first   two   years   in   the   Commons,   McIntosh   balanced   her  responsibilities   as   an  MP  with   those   she   held   as   an  MEP   for   Essex   North   and  Suffolk   South.   She   spent   a   decade   in   the   European   Parliament,   first   gaining  election  in  1989  as  the  MEP  for  Essex  North  East  1989-­‐94.  Before  becoming  an  MEP,  McIntosh  worked  as  an  advisor  to  the  European  Democratic  Group  (1983-­‐89).  She  had  previously  been  a   lawyer,  practicing  mainly   in  Brussels.  McIntosh  was   born   in   1954   and   studied   Law   at   Edinburgh   University   and   Aarhus  University  in  Denmark.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Esther  McVey  

 

Esther  McVey  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons   in  2010  and  is   the  MP  for  Wirral  West.  Her  main  policy   interests  are   law  and  order,   transport,   education  and   city   regeneration.   McVey   is   a   member   of   the   Thatcherite   grouping,  Conservative  Way  Forward.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   McVey   was   self-­‐employed,   managing   Winning  Women,  a  networking  organisation  for  business  women  she  established  in  2003,  and  Making  It,  the  media  and  corporate  training  company  she  founded  in  2002.  She  has  also  recently  completed  a  Masters  in  Corporate  Governance  at  Liverpool  John   Moores   University.   Prior   to   setting   up   Making   It,   McVey   worked   in  broadcasting,  appearing  in  numerous  programmes,  ranging  from  GMTV  to  a  legal  series   that   also   starred   Ann   Widdecombe.   She   began   her   working-­‐life   in   her  family’s   property   and   demolition   company,   J   G   McVey,   joining   the   firm   after  completing   a   course   in   radio   journalism   and   studying   Law   at   Queen   Mary’s.  McVey  was  born  in  1967.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maria  Miller  

 

Maria  Miller  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2005  and  is  the  MP  for  Basingstoke.  She  is  currently  Secretary  of  State  for  Culture,  Media  and  Sport  and  Minister   for   Women   and   Equalities.   Her   policy   interests   include   housing,  education  and  the  media.  Miller  has  occupied  numerous  frontbench  posts  in  her  relatively  brief  parliamentary  career,  serving  as  Minister  for  Disabled  People  at  the   Department   for   Work   and   Pensions   (2010   –   2012),   Shadow   Minister   for  Families  (2007-­‐10),  Family  Welfare  (2006-­‐07)  and  Education  (2005-­‐06).  

Before   entering   parliament,   Miller   was   a   marketing   consultant,   working  primarily   in   advertising   and   public   relations.   She   was   a   director   of   Rowland  Saatchi   from   1999   to   2003   and,   prior   to   that,   directed   Grey   Advertising   Ltd  (1995-­‐99).  Miller  spent  the  previous  five  years  as  a  marketing  director  at  Texaco,  after  starting  out  as  an  account  manager  at  Grey  Advertising  (1985-­‐90).  She  was  born  in  1964  and  studied  at  the  London  School  of  Economics.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anne  Milton  

 

Anne  Milton  was   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   2005   and   is   the  MP   for  Guildford.   She   is   currently   a   Government  Whip.   She   was   made   Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   with   responsibility   for   Public   Health   in   2010,   after  shadowing   the   Health   Department   for   the   previous   three   years.   Before   being  appointed   Shadow   Health   Minister   in   2007,   Milton   was   Shadow   Minister   for  Tourism  (2006-­‐07).  

Milton   has   extensive   experience   of   health   and   social   care,   having  worked   as   a  nurse  and  medical  advisor  for  almost  three  decades.  Before  entering  Parliament,  she  worked  part-­‐time  as  a  medical  adviser   to  various  social  housing  providers.  During   this   time,   she   also   served   on  Reigate   Council   (1999–2004),   leading   the  Conservative   Group   from   2001   until   2003.   Between   1977   and   1985,   Milton  worked  in  several  London  hospitals  and  as  a  district  nursing  sister   in  Hackney.  She  was  born  in  1955.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penny  Mordaunt  

 

Penny  Mordaunt  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  Portsmouth   North.   Her   chief   policy   interests   are   healthcare   and   care   of   the  elderly,  and  she  is  currently  a  member  on  the  European  Scrutiny  and  the  Defence  Select  Committees.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Mordaunt  worked   in   public   affairs,   and  was  most  recently   a   healthcare   consultant.   Her   previous   roles   include   director   of   policy  and   strategy   at  Diabetes  UK,   and   communications   director   for  Kensington   and  Chelsea   local  authority.  Earlier   in  her  career,  Maudaunt  worked   for   the  Freight  Transport  Association,   and  on  George  Bush’s  2000  election   campaign.   She  was  born  in  1973  and  studied  at  Reading  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicky  Morgan  

 

Nicky  Morgan  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  Loughborough.   Her   policy   interests   include   financial   services,   housing,  education,   the   economy   and   mental   health,   and   she   is   currently   Assistant  Government  Whip.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Morgan   worked   as   a   corporate   lawyer,   spending  eight  years  as  an  in-­‐house  solicitor  at  Travers  Smith  and  four  years  with  Allen  &  Overy.   She   began   a   training   contract   with   Theodore   Goddard   in   1994   after  graduating  from  Oxford  University.  Morgan  was  born  in  1972.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anne  Marie  Morris  

 

Anne  Morris  was   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   2010   and   is   the  MP   for  Newton  Abbot.  She  cites  her  policy  interests  as  health,  the  NHS  and  education.  

Morris  spent  almost  three  decades  in  the  City  before  turning  to  politics.  She  has  directed  her  own   coaching  business,  Manteion  Ltd,   for   the  past   five   years,   and  before  that  worked  for  the  corporate  law  firm,  Linklaters  (2002-­‐05).  During  this  time,  Morris   also   served  on  West   Sussex  County  Council   (2005-­‐07).   She  was   a  marketing  director  at  both  Ernst  &  Young  and  PricewaterhouseCoopers  between  1997   and   2002,   and   before   that   worked   in   professional   development.   Morris  spent  her  first  decade  in  the  city  as  a  corporate  finance  lawyer,  joining  Withers  in  1981  after  graduating  from  Oxford  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheryll  Murray  

 

Sheryll  Murray  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  South  East  Cornwall.  Her  chief  policy  interests  are  the  environment  and  tourism,  and  she  is  a  member  on  the  Select  Committee  for  Environmental  Audit.  

Murray  was  Leader  of  the  Conservative  Group  on  Caradon  District  Council  until  her  election  to  Parliament,  and  has  also  served  as  a  county  councillor  for  Rame.  She  has  campaigned  on  fisheries  issues  as  a  spokesperson  for  Save  Britain’s  Fish  and  as  a  member  of  the  Fishermen’s  Association.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah  Newton  

 

Sarah  Newton  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  Truro  and  Falmouth.  Her  main  policy  interests  are  agriculture,  rural  affairs  and  the  elderly,  and  she  is  a  member  of  the  Select  Committees  for  Administration  and  Science   and   Technology.   She   is   also   currently   Deputy   Chairman   of   the  Conservative  Party.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Newton   was   UK   Director   of   the   International  Longevity  Centre,  a  think-­‐tank  that  promotes  ‘pragmatic  and  positive  responses’  to  the  ageing  population.  She  has  previously  been  a  Director  of  Age  Concern,  and  has   also   served   on  Merton   Council.   Newton   started   her   career   as   a  marketing  officer,  working   for   businesses   including   IBIS,   Citibank   and   American   Express.  She  was  born  in  1962  and  studied  at  King’s  College  London.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caroline  Nokes  

 

Caroline  Nokes  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  Romsey  and  Southampton  North.  Her  chief  policy  interests  are  education,  sport  and   agriculture,   and   she   is   currently   a   member   of   the   Select   Committees   for  Environmental  Audit  and  for  Works  of  Art.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Nokes   was   an   executive   member   of   Test   Valley  Borough  Council  with  responsibility  for  leisure  and  culture.  She  has  also  recently  worked   as   chief   executive   of   the   National   Pony   Society   (2008-­‐09)   and   as   a  consultant   on   Arab-­‐EU   affairs   (2004).   Nokes   was   first   elected   to   Test   Valley  Council   in  1999,  while  still  a  political  researcher  to  her  Father,  Roy  Perry  MEP.  She  was  born  in  1972  and  studied  at  Sussex  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Priti  Patel  

 

Priti  Patel  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  MP  for  Witham.  Her   chief  policy   interests   are   law  and  order,   the  elderly  and   the  Euro,   and   she  currently   sits   on   the   Select   Committees   for  Members’   Expenses   and   for   Public  Administration.  

Before   gaining   her   place   in   Parliament,   Patel   was   corporate   communications  director  at  Weber  Shandwick,  a  public  affairs  consultancy  (2007-­‐10).  She  spent  the  previous  five  years  in  charge  of  responsible  drinking  and  corporate  relations  at  the  multinational  beer,  wine  and  spirits  company,  Diageo  (2003-­‐08).  Prior  to  entering   the   corporate   world,   Patel   was   a   press   officer,   working   for   William  Hague  MP  (1997-­‐2000),  the  Conservative  Research  Department  (1997),  and  the  anti-­‐EU  Referendum  Party  (1995-­‐97).  She  was  born  in  1972  and  studied  at  Keele  and  Essex  Universities.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claire  Perry  

 

Claire   Perry  was   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   2010   and   is   the  MP   for  Devizes.   Her   main   policy   interests   are   the   economy   and   education.   She   is  currently   Parliamentary   Private   Secretary   to   Philip   Hammond   as   Secretary   of  State  for  Defence.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Perry   worked   as   a   Special   Advisor   to   George  Osborne.  She  joined  him  in  2007,  a  year  after  she  became  a  party  member.  Prior  to   this,  Perry  worked   in   finance  and  consultancy.  Between  1994  and  2000,   she  worked   for   Credit   Suisse   First   Boston,   and   during   the   previous   four   years   she  was   a  management   consultant   at  McKinsey   and  Company.   Perry   completed   an  MBA  at  Harvard  in  1990,  after  first  spending  several  years  as  an  analyst  with  the  Bank   of   America   (1985-­‐88).   She   was   born   in   1964   and   studied   at   Oxford  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amber  Rudd  

 

Amber  Rudd  was   elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  2010  and   is   the  MP   for  Hastings   and   Rye.   Her   policy   interests   include   defence,   foreign   affairs   and  welfare.  She   is  currently  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary  to  George  Osborne  as  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer  and  also  a  member  of  the  Select  Committee  on  the  Environment,  Food  and  Rural  Affairs.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Rudd   worked   as   a   financial   journalist   and  recruitment   consultant,   managing   Lawnstone   Ltd   and   writing   columns   for  Corporate   Financier.   Prior   to   this,   she   worked   in   venture   capital,   helping  businesses  expand  and  raise  money  to  help  with  their  development  plans.  Rudd  began  her  career  in  1986  with  the  investment  bank,  JPMorgan.  She  was  born  in  1963  and  studied  at  Edinburgh  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laura  Sandys  

 

Laura  Sandys  was  elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  2010  and   is   the  MP   for  South  Thanet.  Her  policy   interests   include  small  businesses,  care  of  the  elderly,  education   and   defence   policy,   and   she   is   a  member   of   the   Energy   and  Climate  Change  Select  Committee.  

Before  entering  Parliament,  Sandys  was  an  international  political  consultant  and  senior   research   associate   at   the   Centre   for   Defence   Studies,   Kings   College.   In  recent  years,  Sandys  has  also  directed  the  website  openDemocracy  and  worked  on   Cameron’s   Democracy   Taskforce.   She   has   previously   worked   in   public  relations,  founding  her  own  company,  Laura  Sandys  Associates,  in  1992.  Sandys  was  born  in  1964.  As  the  daughter  of  Duncan  Sandys,  former  Defence  Secretary  and   life   peer,   she   was   christened   in   the   Crypt   Chapel   of   the   Palace   of  Westminster.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloe  Smith  

 

Chloe   Smith  was   first   elected   to   the  House   of   Commons   in   a   2009  by-­‐election.  She  was  re-­‐elected  in  the  2010  general  election  as  MP  for  Norwich  North.  She  is  currently   a   Parliamentary   Secretary   for   the   Cabinet   Office,   having   previously  been   Economic   Secretary   to   the   Treasury   from   2011   to   2012   and   Assistant  Government  Whip  from  2010  to  2011.  In  addition  to  this,  she  is  also  a  member  of  the   Conservative   Friends   of   Israel   and   the   Tory   Reform   Group.   Her   political  interests  are  listed  as  work  and  pensions,  and  public  services.  

Before  joining  Parliament,  Smith  worked  for  Deloitte  and  studied  English  at  York  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anna  Soubry  

 

Anna  Soubry  was  elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  2010  and   is   the  MP   for  Broxtowe.  She  is  currently  Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary  of  State  for  Health.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Soubry   worked   as   a   criminal   barrister   in  Nottingham.  She  was  called  to  the  bar  in  1995,  after  spending  sixteen  years  as  a  television   journalist.   During   this   time,   she   presented   several   regional   news  programmes,   including  North  Tonight  and  Central  News  East.  Soubry  was  born  in  1956  and  studied  at  Birmingham  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caroline  Spelman  

 

Caroline   Spelman   was   first   elected   to   Parliament   in   1997   and   is   the   MP   for  Meriden.  She  is  one  of  the  Party’s  most  prominent  female  MPs  and  until  recently  was  the  Secretary  of  State  for  the  Environment,  Food  and  Rural  Affairs.  Spelman  is   also   on   the   executive   committee   of   the   Conservative   Women’s   National  Council.  Before  gaining  a  position  in  the  Coalition  Cabinet,  Spelman  spent  several  years  shadowing  the  Office  of  the  Deputy  Prime  Minister  and  the  Department  for  Communities  and  Local  Government  (2009-­‐10,  2005-­‐07).  Prior   to   this,  she  was  Shadow  Secretary  of  State  for  Local  and  Devolved  Government  Affairs  (2004-­‐05),  for   the   Environment   (2003-­‐04)   and   for   International   Development   (2001-­‐03).  Between  2001  and  2004,  she  was  also  Shadow  Minister  for  Women.  During  her  first   term   in   Parliament,   Spelman   was   Opposition   Spokesperson   for   Health  (1999-­‐2001)   and  Women’s   Issues   (1999),   and  was  briefly   an  Opposition  Whip  (1998-­‐99).  

Prior  to  entering  Parliament,  Spelman  directed  her  own  specialist  lobbying  firm,  Cormack   and  Associates,  which   offered   services   to   the   food   and  biotechnology  industry.   Before   establishing   the   company,   she   was   a   research   fellow   at   the  Centre  for  European  Agricultural  Studies,  University  of  Kent  (1989-­‐93).  Spelman  had   previously   been   deputy   director   of   the   International   Confederation   of  European   Beetgrowers   in   Paris   (1984-­‐89).   She   began   her   career   in   1981   as   a  commercial   negotiator   for   the   National   Farmers   Union.   Spelman   was   born   in  1958  and  studied  at  Queen  Mary’s,  London.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth  Truss  

 

Elizabeth  Truss  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  South  West  Norfolk.  Her  main  policy   interests   are   conservation,   education  and  the  economy,  and  she  is  currently  Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary  of  State  for  the  Department  of  Education.  

Truss  was  forced  to  battle  against  a  highly  publicised  de-­‐selection  attempt  before  she  was  able  to  secure  her  place  in  Parliament.  Shortly  after  her  selection  for  the  seat,   revelations   about   Truss’s   private   life  were   revived,   prompting   numerous  constituency  party  members  to  insist  that  her  candidature  should  be  terminated.  The  motion  was,   however,   decisively   defeated.   Before   becoming   an  MP,   Truss  was  deputy  director  of  the  centre-­‐right  think-­‐tank  Reform.  She  was  also  a   local  councillor,   serving   on   Greenwich   Council   between   2006   and   2010.   Prior   to  joining  Reform,  she  worked  in  communications  and  as  a  commercial  analyst  for  both  Cable  and  Wireless  (2000-­‐05)  and  Shell  International  (1996-­‐2000).  She  was  born  in  1975  and  studied  at  Oxford  University,  where  she  was  President  of  the  University’s  Liberal  Democrat  Club.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theresa  Villiers  

 

Theresa  Villiers  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2005  and  is  MP  for  Chipping  Barnet.  She  is  currently  Secretary  of  State  for  Northern  Ireland,  having  been   promoted   from   Minister   of   State   in   the   Department   for   Transport.   Her  policy   interests   include   business,   financial   services,   animal   welfare   and   the  environment.   Before   gaining   her   position   in   the   current   government,   Villiers  spent  three  years  as  Shadow  Secretary  of  State  for  Transport  (2007-­‐10).  Prior  to  this  she  was  Shadow  Chief  Secretary  to  the  Treasury,  elevated  to  the  position  in  2005  after  just  seven  months  in  Parliament.  

Before  gaining  her  seat  in  the  Commons,  Villiers  was  a  member  of  the  European  Parliament.   She   spent   six   years   as   an  MEP   for  London,   and  between  2001  and  2002  was  deputy  leader  of  the  Conservatives  in  the  European  Parliament.  Whilst  there,   she   remained  strongly  Eurosceptic,   opposing  any  perceived  extension  of  EU   powers   and   objecting   to   the   introduction   of   the   European   Constitution.  Villiers  had  previously  been  a   law  lecturer  at  King’s  College  London  (1995-­‐99).  She  turned  to  academic  law  after  spending  a  year  as  a  practising  barrister  (1994-­‐95).  Villiers  was  born  in  1968  and  studied  at  Bristol  and  Oxford  Universities.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angela  Watkinson  

 

Angela  Watkinson  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2001  as  MP  for  Upminster.  Her  constituency  boundaries  were  changed   in  2010  and  she   is  now  the  MP   for  Hornchurch.  Her   policy   interests   include   education,   law   and   order,  families  and  Europe.  As  a  member  of  the  Thatcherite  Conservative  Way  Forward  and  right-­‐wing  Cornerstone  group  of  MPs,  she  is  avowedly  socially  conservative.  Watkinson  was  a  Tory  Whip  from  2005  to  2012,  and  prior  to  that  held  various  shadow   ministerial   positions,   including   Local   Government   Affairs   and  Communities   (2005),   Education   (2004-­‐05)   and   Health   and   Education   (2004).  She   was   first   elevated   within   the   party   in   2002   when   she   was   made   an  Opposition  Whip  (2002-­‐04).  

Watkinson   spent   several   years   as   a   local   councillor   before   gaining   a   seat   in  Parliament.  She  served  on  Essex  County  Council  from  1997  to  2001,  and  on  the  London   Borough   of   Havering   between   1994   and   98.   Prior   to   this,   Watkinson  worked  in  various  local  government  jobs  in  and  around  London.  She  has  been  a  committee  manager   in   Basildon   District   Council   (1989-­‐94),   a   clerk   in   Barking  and  Dagenham  Council   (1988-­‐89)  and  special  school  secretary   in  Essex  County  Council  (1976-­‐88).  She  also  completed  a  degree  at  Anglia  University  during  this  time.  Watkinson   took   a   career   break   between   1964   and   1976   to   care   for   her  family,   leaving  her   former   job  at   the  Bank  of  New  South  Wales   (1958-­‐64).   She  was  born  in  1941.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather  Wheeler  

 

Heather  Wheeler  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  South   Derbyshire.   Her   main   policy   interests   are   affordable   housing   and  economic  regeneration,  and  she   is  currently  a  member  of   the  Select  Committee  for  Communities  and  Local  Government.  

Before   entering   Parliament,   Wheeler   was   a   local   councillor   and   director   of  Bretby   Inns,   a   pub-­‐retailing   company.   She   has   extensive   experience   of   local  government,   having   spent   the   last   fifteen   years   on   South   Derbyshire   District  Council,   latterly   as   Leader   of   the   Conservative   group   (2002-­‐10)   and   Council  Leader   (2007-­‐10).   She   had   previously   served   on  Wandsworth   Council,   gaining  her   seat   in   1982,   aged   just   22.   Wheeler   began   her   career   in   1979   as   a   City  insurance  broker.  She  was  born  in  1959.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah  Wollaston  

 

Sarah  Wollaston  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2010  and  is  the  MP  for  Totnes.  Her  chief  policy  interests  are  the  NHS,  alcohol  related  problems,  bovine  TB  and  rural  communities.  She  is  also  a  member  of  the  Health  Select  Committee.  

Wollaston  was  selected  as  the  Conservative  candidate  for  Totnes  in  2009  in  the  UK’s  first  open  primary  selection.  She  had  little  prior  political  experience,  having  only  joined  the  Party  in  2006,  but  won  praise  for  her  history  of  NHS  involvement.  Wollaston  has  worked  as   a  GP   since  1999,   and   in   recent   years  has   also   taught  medical  students  and  junior  doctors.  Before  becoming  a  GP,  she  spent  five  years  as   a   forensic   medical   examiner   for   Devon   and   Cornwall   police   (1996-­‐2001).  Wollaston  was  born  in  1962  and  qualified  as  a  doctor  in  1986.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberal  Democrat  MPs    

Annette  Brooke  

 

 Annette  Brooke  was  first  elected  to  Parliament  in  2001  as  the  MP  for  Mid  Dorset  and   North   Poole.   She   has   occupied   numerous   frontbench   positions,   most  recently  as  Party  Spokesperson  for  Children,  Young  People  and  Families  (2006–10).  Between  2005  and  2006,  Brooke  was  Spokesperson  for  Education,  and  prior  to   that   she   was   both   Home   Affairs   Spokesperson   (2001–04)   and   party   Whip  (2001–03).  She  has  also  chaired  all-­‐party  groups  on  micro-­‐finance,  adoption  and  fostering,  breast   cancer   and   learning  disabilities,   and   is   currently   a  member  of  the  Chairmen’s  Panel.  

Brooke  spent  seventeen  years  as  a  Poole  Councillor  before  entering  Parliament.  During  this  time  she  chaired  the  planning,  education,  and  environmental  strategy  committees,   and   oversaw   the   transition   to   a   unitary   authority.   Outside   of  politics,   Brooke   has   worked  mainly   in   education,   teaching   social   sciences   and  economics   for   the  Open  University  and  at   several   schools  and  colleges.  Brooke  qualified  as  a  teacher  in  1969  at  Cambridge  University,  having  earlier  gained  an  economics  degree  from  the  London  School  of  Economics.  She  was  born  in  1947.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lorely  Burt  

 

Lorely   Burt   was   first   elected   to   Parliament   in   2005   as   MP   for   Solihull.   She   is  currently  Chair  of  the  Liberal  Democrat  Parliamentary  Party,  having  become  the  first  woman  to  assume  the  position  in  2007.  Burt  has  held  numerous  frontbench  positions,  her  most  recent  posts  reflecting  her  interests  in  business  and  industry.  Between   2009   and   2010,   she   was   Spokesperson   for   Business,   Innovation   and  Skills,   and   for   the   two   previous   years   she   held   the   Business,   Enterprise   and  Regulatory   Reform   portfolio.   Prior   to   this,   Burt   was   Spokesperson   for   Small  Business,  Women  and  Equality  (2006–07)  and  for  Northern  Ireland  (2005–06).  Burt  was  a  Whip  during  her  first  year  in  parliament.  

Prior  to  winning  her  parliamentary  seat  in  2005,  Burt  was  a  business  consultant,  working  part-­‐time  to  accommodate  her  political  campaigning.  She  also  served  on  the   Liberal   Democrat’s   federal   policy   committee   and   on   the   West   Midlands  regional   executive.   Burt   began   her   political   career   as   a   councillor   on   Dudley  Metropolitan  Borough  Council,  serving  between  1998  and  2003.  Before  moving  into   consultancy  work,   she   spent   several   years   as   a  manager   in   the  marketing  and  financial  services  sector,  and  as  the  director  of  her  own  training   firm.  Burt  gained   an   MBA   in   1997,   studying   through   the   Open   University.   She   had  previously  worked  as  a  personnel  manager  for  various  private  companies.  Burt  began  her  career  in  1975  as  an  assistant  prison  governor.  She  was  born  in  1954  and  studied  at  Swansea  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lynne  Featherstone  

 

Lynne   Featherstone   was   first   elected   to   Parliament   in   2005   as   the   MP   for  Hornsey  and  Wood  Green.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Liberal  Democrat  Party  and  is  currently   Parliamentary   Under-­‐Secretary   of   State   in   the   Department   for  International  Development.  Prior  to  this,  she  was  a  junior  Home  Office  minister  with   responsibility   for   equality   from   2010   to   2012.   Featherstone   has   risen  quickly  within   the  party  and  has  held  numerous   frontbench  positions;   she  was  Party   Spokesperson   for   Youth   and   Equalities   between   2008   and   2010,   and  served  as  Spokesperson  for  International  Development  during  the  previous  year.  In   her   first   two   years   in   Parliament   she   worked   as   Spokesperson   for   London  (2006  –  07)  and  as  Spokesperson  for  Home  Affairs  (2005  –  06).  Featherstone  has  carved   out   a   relatively   high   profile,   winning   commendation   for   her   blog,   and  earning   a   place   on   the   short-­‐list   for   both  Dods’   ‘Women  MP   of   the   Year’   prize  (2007)  and  Channel  4’s  ‘rising  star’  political  award  (2006).  

 

Featherstone   spent   five   years   as   a   Member   of   the   Greater   London   Assembly  before   entering   Parliament.   During   this   time,   she   chaired   the   Assembly’s  Committee  on  Transport  and  served  on  the  health  and  standards  committee,  the  fire   and   emergency   planning   authority,   and   the  Metropolitan   Police   Authority.  During   this   time   Featherstone   was   also   a   member   of   Haringey   Council.   She  stepped  down  in  2006,  after  serving  eight  years,  five  as  leader  of  the  Opposition  (1998-­‐2003).  Prior  to  embarking  on  her  political  career,  Featherstone  worked  as  a  designer  and  strategy  consultant.  She  was  born  in  1951  in  London  and  studied  at  Oxford  Brookes  University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tessa  Munt  

 

Tessa  Munt  was   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in   2010   and   is   the  MP   for  Wells   and   Somerset.   She   is   a   Liberal   Democrat   and   is   a   Patron   of   the  Parliamentary   Candidates   Association.   She   cites   her   political   interests   as  education,  the  prison  service,  domestic  violence,  children  and  families,  planning  and  the  environment.  She  is  currently  Parliamentary  Private  Secretary  to  Vince  Cable  as  Secretary  of  State  for  Business,  Innovation  and  Skills.  

Munt   has   stood   as   a   Liberal   Democrat   candidate   on   two   previous   occasions,  standing  in  South  Suffolk  for  the  2001  general  election  and  in  Ipswich  during  the  2001   by-­‐election.   Before   becoming   an   MP,   she   worked   as   a   social   service  administrator  and  as  a   teacher.  Munt  has  also  been  a  Childline  volunteer   since  2000.  She  was  born  in  1959.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jo  Swinson  

 

Jo  Swinson  was  first  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  2005  and  is  the  MP  for  East   Dunbartonshire.   Swinson  was   only   25  when   she   gained   her   seat   but   has  since     made   a   rapid   ascent   within   the   party.   She   has   occupied   numerous  frontbench  positions,  most  recently  as  Parliamentary  Under-­‐Secretary  of  State  in  the  Department  for  Business,  Innovation  and  Skills.  Prior  to  this,  she  was  PPS  to  Nick   Clegg   as   Deputy   Prime   Minister   and   Lord   President   of   the   Council,   and  formerly  to  Vince  Cable  as  Secretary  of  State  for  Business,  Innovation  and  Skills  and  President  of  the  Board  of  Trade  (2010-­‐12).  From  2008  to  2010,  she  held  the  post   of   Party   Spokesperson   for   the   Foreign   and   Commonwealth   Office.  Demonstrating  an  interest  in  furthering  gender  equality,  Swinson  has  chaired  the  party’s   Campaign   for   Gender   Balance   (2007-­‐2008),   been   Spokesperson   for  Women   and   Equality   (2007)   and   worked   on   the   Liberal   Democrat’s   Gender  Balance   Taskforce   (2003   and   2006).   During   her   first   two   years   in   parliament,  Swinson  was  Spokesperson  for  Scotland  (2006  –  07)  and  for  Culture,  Media  and  Sport  (2005  –  06).  

Before  winning  her  seat,  Swinson  was  engaged  in  youth  politics,  holding  various  senior  positions  within  the  Liberal  Democrat’s  Youth  and  Student  wing.  She  also  spent   five   years   working   as   a   marketing   manager,   taking   up   a   position   with  Viking   Radio   after   graduating   from   the   London   School   of   Economics   with   a  degree  in  Management  in  2000.  Swinson  was  born  in  1980.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah  Teather  

 

Liberal  Democrat   Sarah  Teather  was   first   elected   to   the  House  of  Commons   in  2003  after  a  shock  win  in  the  Brent  East  by-­‐election.  She  moved  constituency  for  the   2010   General   Election   and   now   represents   Brent   Central.   She   is   currently  number  two  in  the  Department  of  Education,  having  been  made  Minister  of  State  for   Children   and   Families   in   2010.   Teather   is   also   a   member   of   the   Liberal  Democrats’   Federal   Policy   Committee   and   chairs   the   Party’s   Health   policy  working  group.  Before  gaining  her  current  portfolio,  Teather  spent  two  years  as  Shadow  Minister   for   Housing.   Prior   to   that,   Teather   was   Shadow   Secretary   of  State   for   Business,   Enterprise   and   Regulatory   Reform   (2007   –   08)   and   for  Education,  Universities  and  Skills  (2006  –  07).  She  has  also  worked  at  the  Office  of   the   Deputy   Prime   Minister   (2005   –   06)   and   as   Shadow   Minister   for  Communities   and   Local   Government   (2005).   Teather   began   her   frontbench  career   soon   after   entering   the   Commons,   acting   as   Party   Spokesperson   for  London   between   2004   and   2005   and   as   Spokesperson   for   Health   during   the  previous  year.  

Before  becoming  an  MP,  Teather  was  a  policy  analyst  for  the  Macmillan  Fund  for  Cancer  Relief.  During  the  year  preceding  her  election  she  also  served  on  Islington  Council  (2002  to  2003).  Before  joining  Macmillan,  Teather  worked  for  a  science  policy  consultancy  advising  European  governments   (2001-­‐02)  and  as  a  science  policy   officer   for   the   Royal   Society   (1998-­‐2001).   She   was   born   in   1974   and  graduated  from  Cambridge  University  in  1996  with  a  degree  in  pharmacology.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenny  Willott  

 

Liberal   Democrat   Jenny  Willott   was   first   elected   to   the   House   of   Commons   in  2005   and   is   the  MP   for   Cardiff   Central.   She   is   currently   Assistant   Government  Whip,   having  previously   been  Parliamentary  Private   Secretary   to  Chris  Huhne,  the  Secretary  of  State  for  Energy  and  Climate  Change  in  2010.  Before  assuming  this  position,  Willott  was  Party  Spokesperson  for  the  Cabinet  Office  (2009  –  10),  Work   and  Pensions   (2008   –   09)   and   Justice   (2008).   She   began  her   frontbench  career   in   2006,  when   she  was  made   Spokesperson   for   Youth   Affairs.   Between  2006  and  2008,  Willott  was  also  Deputy  Chief  Whip.  

Before  winning   her   seat   in   the   Commons,  Willott  worked   for   several   charities  and  political  organisations.  Between  2003  and  2005,  Willott  was  Head  of  Victim  Support  South  Wales,  and  before  that  she  spent  two  years  as  Head  of  Advocacy  at  UNICEF  UK.  Willott   has   also  worked   as   a  Researcher   for   the   Liberal  Democrat  group   in   the  Welsh  National  MP  and   for  Lembit  Öpik  MP.  During   this   time  she  spent  two  years  as  a  local  councillor,  gaining  election  to  Merton  Council  in  1998.  Willott   was   born   in   1974   and   studied   at   Durham   University   before   earning   a  Masters  degree  in  Development  Studies  from  the  London  School  of  Economics  in  1997.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labour  MPs  

Diane  Abbott  Heidi  Alexander  Rushanara  Ali  Margaret  Beckett  Anne  Begg  Luciana  Berger  Roberta  Blackman-­‐Woods  Hazel  Blears  Lyn  Brown  Karen  Buck  Jenny  Chapman  Katy  Clark  Ann  Clwyd  Ann  Coffey  Yvette  Cooper  Rosie  Cooper  Mary  Creagh  Stella  Creasy  Margaret  Curran  Gloria  De  Piero  Gemma  Doyle  Angela  Eagle  Maria  Eagle  Julie  Elliot  Louise  Ellman  Natascha  Engel  Caroline  Flint  Yvonne  Fovargue  Sheila  Gilmore  Pat  Glass  Mary  Glindon  Helen  Goodman  Kate  Green  Lilian  Greenwood  Nia  Griffith  Harriet  Harman  Meg  Hillier  Julie  Hilling  Margaret  Hodge  Sharon  Hodgson  Kate  Hoey  Glenda  Jackson  Siân  James  Cathy  Jamieson  Diana  Johnson  Helen  Jones  Susan  Elan  Jones  

Tessa  Jowell  Barbara  Keeley  Liz  Kendall  Fiona  Mactaggart  Shabana  Mahmood  Seema  Malholtra  Kerry  McCarthy  Siobhain  McDonagh  Alison  McGovern  Anne  McGuire  Ann  McKechin  Catherine  McKinnell  Madeleine  Moon  Jessica  Morden  Meg  Munn  Lisa  Nandy  Pamela  Nash  Fiona  O’Donnell  Chi  Onwurah  Sandra  Osborne  Teresa  Pearce  Bridget  Phillipson  Dawn  Primarolo  Yasmin  Qureshi  Rachel  Reeves  Emma  Reynolds  Linda  Riordan  Joan  Ruddock  Alison  Seabeck  Angela  Smith  Gisela  Stuart  Emily  Thornberry  Valerie  Vaz  Joan  Walley  Rosie  Winterton    

 

Conservative  MPs  

Harriett  Baldwin  Nicola  Blackwood  Karen  Bradley  Angie  Bray  Fiona  Bruce  Therese  Coffey  Tracey  Crouch  Caroline  Dinenage  Nadine  Dorries  

Jackie  Doyle-­‐Price  Jane  Ellison  Lorraine  Fullbrook  Cheryl  Gillan  Helen  Grant  Justine  Greening  Rebecca  Harris  Margot  James  Eleanor  Laing  Pauline  Latham  Andrea  Leadsom  Jessica  Lee  Charlotte  Leslie  Karen  Lumley  Mary  MacLeod  Anne  Main  Theresa  May  Anne  McIntosh  Esther  McVey  Maria  Miller  Anne  Milton  Penny  Mordaunt  Nicky  Morgan  Anne  Marie  Morris  Sheryll  Murray  Sarah  Newton  Caroline  Nokes  Priti  Patel  Claire  Perry  Amber  Rudd  Laura  Sandys  Chloe  Smith  Anna  Soubry  Caroline  Spelman  Elizabeth  Truss  Theresa  Villiers  Angela  Watksinon  Heather  Wheeler  Sarah  Wollaston    Liberal  Democrat  MPs    Annette  Brooke  Lorely  Burt  Lynne  Featherstone  Tessa  Munt  Jo  Swinson  Sarah  Teather  Jenny  Willott