James Purnell

Labour MP Stalybridge and Hyde

Date of birth

2 March 1970

Political profile

James Purnell was first elected in 2001, but is far from being a political novice.

He has worked for Labour's favourite think tank, the Institute for Public Policy Research, as a senior manager for the BBC and for the Number 10 Policy Unit.

He also worked as a personal researcher to Tony Blair back in the days of Neil Kinnock's leadership and served as a councillor in Islington, where he chaired the housing committee.

At Downing Street, he served as an adviser on sports, as well as contributing heavily to the communications white paper.

Now he pursues many of those same interests as an MP

In December 2004 he was given a job as a government whip.

Contact

Constituency office: 0161 367 8077.

Commons office: 0207 219 8166.