Jacqui Smith

Labour MP Redditch

Date of birth

3 November 1962

Political profile

One of the most quickly promoted of the 1997 intake, Jacqui Smith joined the government within two years of being elected to the Commons.

A former economics teacher, the government made conscious use of her experience; she initially served on the Commons treasury select committee before joining the Department for Education and Employment as school standards minister.

After the 2001 election she became a minister of state at the Department of Health.

And in the June 2003 reshuffle she became a Department of Trade and Industry minister and deputy minister for women.

She is seen as loyal to New Labour - she is one of the most committed of the party's modernisers and even in her time on Redditch borough council, was a strong supporter of Tony Blair.

Contact

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Constituency office 01527 523355