Labour MP Hornsey and Wood Green

Date of birth

13 April 1954

Political profile

Barbara Roche stepped down from the government in the June 2003 reshuffle after what was seen as a political career of almost constant success.

She was first elected to the Commons in 1992, at her third attempt, and her confidence as a speaker, gained from a career as a barrister, and her mainstream, non-dogmatic Labour values helped her to rise quickly through the ranks.

She became parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to Margaret Beckett as deputy leader of the Labour Party, and then became an opposition Whip.

She joined the government as minister for small firms in 1997, and subsequently became financial secretary to the Treasury.

Her calm competence led Tony Blair to appoint her to one of the most difficult jobs in government as minister for immigration and asylum.

After the 2001 election, she was moved to a role co-ordinating regional policy in the Cabinet Office.

She is generally regarded as a good humoured and relaxed debater, who is personally popular on all sides of the Commons.

Contact

Commons office: 020 7219 3411