Barry Gardiner

Labour MP Brent North

Date of birth

10 March 1957

Political profile

Barry Gardiner was seen as an unusual choice to contest Brent North for Labour in 1997.

An insurance adjuster and former Cambridge researcher, he was an outsider to the complicated politics of London Labour.

Nonetheless, he ousted long-serving Tory MP Rhodes Boyson at his first attempt and managed to increase his majority still further in 2001, with the largest pro-Labour swing in the country.

This was largely aided by his enthusiastic championing of his constituents' interests.

Since it falls within his seat's boundaries, he is also a leading supporter of retaining Wembley as the national stadium.

His former career was very international and he retains a strong interest in foreign affairs.

He is chair of Labour Friends of India and is also strongly pro-Israel, which attracted the attention of Muslim campaigners in 2001.

An intelligent and thoughtful debater, who cites reading philosophy as one of his interests, he is also interested in insurance markets and financial regulation.

In 2002, he became Parliamentary Private Secretary to Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes.

In the mini government reshuffle that followed Ms Hughes' resignation in April 2004, Mr Gardiner was appointed a junior minister at the Northern Ireland Office.

Contact

Commons office 0207 219 4046