Karen Buck

Labour MP Regent's Park and Kensington North

Date of birth

30 August 1958

Political profile

First elected in 1997 and the last beneficiary of all-women shortlists, Karen Buck was tipped during her first Parliament as a future minister after demonstrating an impressive grasp of detail as a member of the Commons social security select committee.

After the 2001 election, she stunned the political world - and Downing Street, which had already announced her appointment - by turning down a place in the Whips' Office to remain on the backbenches, where she felt she could better serve her constituents.

Despite this, she is not a scorching rebel against the government but is rather a genuine case of "the critical friend".

Her Labour roots are deep - she served on Westminster Council for many years and was a senior member of the party's campaign team before entering Parliament.

She specialises in health policy, but is best known as the chair of the London group of Labour MPs.

While not being an outright critic, she has been cooler on the government's plans for London Underground than most of her colleagues.

Contact

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Constituency office 020 8968 7999