Chair of the Labour Party (UK)

Last updated
Chair of the Labour Party
Official portrait of Ellie Reeves MP crop 2, 2023.jpg
Incumbent
Ellie Reeves
since 6 July 2024
Style Party Chair (informal)
Appointer Leader of the Labour Party
Formation9 June 2001
First holder Charles Clarke

The Chair of the Labour Party is a position in the Labour Party of the United Kingdom. The Chair is responsible for administration of the party and overseeing general election campaigns, and is typically held concurrently with another position.

Contents

History

Established by Tony Blair in the aftermath of the 2001 general election, the chair of the Labour Party was a Cabinet position held alongside the minister without portfolio post during his tenure as prime minister. [1] The position is not to be confused with that of Chair of the Labour National Executive Committee, described as 'chair of the party' in the Labour Party Constitution. The role had a larger portfolio for organising election campaigning under Jeremy Corbyn, with Ian Lavery working alongside the co-national campaign coordinator, Andrew Gwynne. [2]

From June 2007 to June 2017 and again from April 2020 to May 2021, the seat was held concurrently by the party's deputy leader. The position was held by Angela Rayner, who was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer following her election as deputy leader, until 2021 when she was sacked after Labour performed poorly at the local elections and the Hartlepool by-election. [3]

List of chairs

NamePortraitTerm of officeLength of TermConcurrent office(s)Party Leader
Charles Clarke Charles Clarke (cropped).jpg 9 June 200124 October 20021 year, 137 days Minister without Portfolio Tony Blair
John Reid Official portrait of Lord Reid of Cardowan, 2020.jpg 24 October 20024 April 2003162 days
Ian McCartney Minister of State for Trade, UK, Mr. Ian McCartney, in New Delhi on November 27, 2006 (cropped).jpg 4 April 2003 5 May 2006 3 years, 31 days
Hazel Blears Official photograph of Hazel Blears MP (cropped).jpg 5 May 2006 24 June 20071 year, 50 days
Harriet Harman Official portrait of Ms Harriet Harman crop 2.jpg 24 June 200712 September 20158 years, 80 days Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
Leader of the House of Commons (2007–10)
Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal (2007–10)

Minister for Women and Equality (2007–10)

Gordon Brown
Leader of the Opposition (2010)Herself (acting)
Shadow Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2010–15)

Shadow Secretary of State for International Development (2010–11)

Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (2011–15)

Ed Miliband
Leader of the Opposition (2015)Herself (acting)
Tom Watson Official portrait of Tom Watson crop 2.jpg 12 September 201514 June 20171 year, 275 daysDeputy Leader of the Labour Party

Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office

Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Jeremy Corbyn
Ian Lavery Official portrait of Ian Lavery MP crop 2.jpg 14 June 20175 April 20202 years, 296 days Shadow Minister without Portfolio

National Campaign Coordinator

Angela Rayner Official portrait of Angela Rayner MP crop 2.jpg 5 April 20208 May 20211 year, 33 daysDeputy Leader of the Opposition

Shadow First Secretary of State

National Campaign Coordinator

Sir Keir Starmer
Anneliese Dodds Official portrait of Anneliese Dodds MP crop 2.jpg 9 May 20216 July 20243 years, 58 daysChair of the Labour Policy Review

Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities

Ellie Reeves Official portrait of Ellie Reeves MP crop 2, 2023.jpg 6 July 2024Incumbent241 days Minister without Portfolio

Timeline

Ellie ReevesAnneliese DoddsAngela RaynerIan LaveryTom WatsonHarriet HarmanHazel BlearsIan McCartneyJohn Reid, Baron Reid of CardowanCharles ClarkeChair of the Labour Party (UK)

References

  1. Hattersley, Roy (26 July 2001). "Blair mistook his Clarke for a chair". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2007.
  2. "The Latest from Labour Shadow Cabinet Appointments". Labour Party. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  3. Way, Fran (9 May 2021). "Oxford MP Anneliese Dodds sacked as Labour's Shadow Chancellor". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 10 May 2021.