Labour MP Southampton Itchen

Date of birth

15 July 1953

Political profile

John Denham was, until March 2003, a middle ranking minister, latterly serving at the Home Office.

He was regarded by the leadership as a safe pair of hands, trusted with some of the most sensitive briefs in government and known as one of the most committed modernisers in the government.

His public defence of tuition fees led to his life membership of the students' union of Southampton University being revoked.

His ministerial career came to an end, however, when, along with Robin Cook and Lord Hunt, and resigned from the government over the decision to go to war in Iraq.

Mr Denham has, like many current Labour MPs, travelled a long road to his current ideological position.

As a young activist, he was a leading advocate of extra-Parliamentary action, on the left of the party even in the early 1980s.

However, by his election in 1992 he had become a more focused constituency activist and moved seamlessly onto the front bench and eventually into government.

Since June 2003 he has been the Chairman of the home Affairs Select Committee.

Contact

denhamj@parliament.uk

Constituency office 023 8033 9807