Ann Taylor

Labour MP Dewsbury

Date of birth

2 July 1947

Political profile

Ann Taylor is a long serving veteran of the Labour benches, who was first elected in 1974.

She served as a parliamentary private secretary to ministers in the Callaghan government, and sat on the frontbench throughout the party's years in opposition - excepting 1983 to 1987, when she lost her seat.

After her return, she picked up her political career seamlessly and joined the shadow Cabinet in 1992, and entered government as Leader of the House of Commons in 1997.

In 1998, she became the first female Chief Whip but was returned to the backbenches in 2001.

She is from the traditional right of the party, with a scepticism about constitutional modernisation.

She has also previously called for the age of homosexual consent to be raised.

Since the 2001 election, she has become chair of the secretive Intelligence and Security Committee.

Contact

Constituency office: 01924 324999