Members of Parliament for Redditch - Redditch Advertiser

Member of Parliament for Redditch

Party

Biography

MP Since - 1997 Majority - 2,716 Born - 03/11/1962. Married, 2 sons.

Education - Dyson Perrins High School, Malvern; Hertford College, Oxford University (BA PPE); Worcester College of Higher Education (PGCE).

Previous Occupation - Economics Teacher, Arrow Vale High School, Redditch (1986-88); Teacher, Worcester Sixth Form College (1988-90); Head of Economics, GNVQ Coordinator, Haybridge High School, Hagley (1990-97).

Personal Overview - Has a teaching background, and experience as a Local Councillor in Redditch. One of the first of the 1997 intake to enter Government (in 1999). One of the few new Labour female MPs to have a baby following their election she moved over to Health in the post 2001 election reshuffle and then held several other Government roles. In the long-term the Conservatives will be targeting the seat as part of their recovery strategy. The ministerial status may garner a few votes, but as the Conservatives showed only too clearly in 1997, not sufficient to guarantee Commons membership. Gained an increase in her powers as Labour Chief Whip in July 2006 when she was given the ability to suspend party colleagues who defy the party line, which would effectively mean a member would lose access to meetings of the Parliamentary Labour Party and their party privileges, but would fall short of a suspension of the Party Whip. Was promoted to become Home Secretary in Gordon Brown's initial Government reshuffle in June 2007. She received criticism after denying being told in advance about the arrest of Conservative MP Damian Green in November 2008 as well as for refusing to condemn the arrest. Was embroiled in several controversial episodes concerning her expense claims, particularly second homes claims, which became the subject of a review by Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon. She also apologised for 'mistakenly' making claims on her MP's allowances and also apologised in the House of Commons for breaking expenses rules. Announced in advance of the June 2009 reshuffle that she would be standing from the Government when the reshuffle took place.

Political History - Councillor, Redditch Borough Council (1991-97). Member for Redditch (1997-). Member of the Treasury Select Committee, Treasury Sub Committee (1998-99). Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Education & Employment (1999-2001), Minister of State, Department of Health (2001-03), Minister of State, Department of Trade & Industry (2003-05), Minister of State, Department for Education & Skills (2005-06). Government Chief Whip (2006-07). Secretary of State for the Home Office (Home Secretary) (2007-09).

Characteristics - Likely to maintain an interest in Educational issues. Admitted in July 2007 having used cannabis in her youth whilst at University. Holds a Season Ticket at Aston Villa FC.

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