Labour MP Airdrie and Shotts

Date of birth

6 December 1950

Political profile

Helen Liddell entered government as Economic Secretary to the Treasury when Labour came to power in 1997.

This was a rapid promotion for an MP who had only sat in the Commons for three years, but she was a big hitter in Labour long before she inherited John Smith's seat (then called Monklands East) in 1994.

She had served as General Secretary of Scottish Labour for 11 years, before leaving to take up a senior role in one of Robert Maxwell's companies.

She is one of Labour's most ruthless, partisan and abrasive politicians, with a harsh manner at the despatch box and a reputation as the party's SNP-basher-in-chief.

She is also dedicated to the New Labour leadership and was one of the most active MPs in the "New Clause IV" campaign.

She was reshuffled around several jobs, including transport minister, before joining the cabinet as Secretary of State for Scotland in 2001.

Ms Liddell stepped down from the government in the June 2003 reshuffle.

Contact

www.helenliddellmp.co.uk

Constituency office 01236 748777