Lyn Brown (politician)

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Lyn Brown (politician) bigraphy, stories - British politician

Lyn Brown (politician) : biography

13 April 1960 –

Lyn Carol Brown (born 13 April 1960) is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for West Ham since 2005.

Personal

In May 2008 Brown married John Cullen and exercised her privilege as a member of Parliament to hold the ceremony in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Palace of Westminster. The ceremony was performed by fellow Labour MP and former vicar Chris Bryant.. Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved on 2011-07-16.

Until May 2009, Brown rented a central London flat using the second home allowance, despite her constituency being only a few miles from Westminster.

Brown hobbies include reading crime fiction and walking.. Debretts.com (1960-04-13). Retrieved on 2011-07-16.

Politics

She was elected as a councillor to Newham Borough Council in 1988. She unsuccessfully contested Wanstead and Woodford at the 1992 general election but was easily beaten by 16,885 votes by the Conservative James Arbuthnot.. BBC News. Retrieved on 2011-07-16.

The former minister and Labour MP for West Ham Tony Banks retired and Lyn Brown was selected to contest the safe Labour seat through a controversial all-women shortlist.. guardian.co.uk. Retrieved on 2011-07-16. Lyn Brown was duly elected at the 2005 general election as MP for West Ham with a majority of 9,801 votes. She made her maiden speech on 23 May 2005.

In 2006 Brown became the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Communities and Local Government Minister, Phil Woolas. In July 2007 she was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

In June 2009 she was promoted to become an Assistant Government Whip. She remained as a whip, in opposition, following the 2010 election.. Parliament.uk (2010-05-06). Retrieved on 2011-07-16.

At the 2010 General Election she retained the seat with a significantly increased majority of 22,534.

In June 2011 Brown was criticised by campaigners for recruiting an unpaid intern whilst also supporting "a living wage for all". Gus Baker of Intern Aware stated Brown had replaced a paid member of staff with an unpaid intern, accusing her of double hypocrisy and noting how such conduct denied opportunities to poorer people such as those from Brown’s constituency. Brown stated she "would like to pay everyone" in her office, but "did not have the resources to do so".. Belfasttelegraph.co.uk (2011-06-28). Retrieved on 2011-07-16.King, Victoria. (2011-06-28) . Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 2011-07-16.

Incident with blind reporter

On 16 July 2011 Brown was reported to have shoved Talksport’s blind Political Editor, Sean Dilley, and his guide dog inside Portcullis House, swearing at him to get out of her way. Several independent witnesses reported the matter to the Press, and to the Labour Chief Whip, Rosie Winterton, who apparently proceeded to discipline Brown. Brown issued an unreserved apology shortly thereafter.

Early life

Brown was born in London to Joseph and Iris Brown. She was educated at Drew Road Primary School, Silvertown and Plashet Comprehensive School before attending the Whitelands College, Putney (now part of Roehampton University).. Exacteditions.com. Retrieved on 2011-07-16. In 1984 she began work as a social worker for the London Borough of Ealing.. Debretts.com (1960-04-13). Retrieved on 2011-07-16.