Chair of the Labour Party (UK)

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.

Chair of the Labour Party
Incumbent
Ellie Reeves
since 6 July 2024
StyleParty Chair (informal)
AppointerLeader of the Labour Party
Formation9 June 2001
First holderCharles Clarke

History

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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

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Name Portrait Term of office Length of Term Concurrent office(s) Party Leader
Charles Clarke   9 June 2001 24 October 2002 1 year, 137 days Minister without Portfolio Tony Blair
John Reid   24 October 2002 4 April 2003 162 days
Ian McCartney   4 April 2003 5 May 2006 3 years, 31 days
Hazel Blears   5 May 2006 24 June 2007 1 year, 50 days
Harriet Harman   24 June 2007 12 September 2015 8 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   12 September 2015 14 June 2017 1 year, 275 days Deputy Leader of the Labour Party

Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office

Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Jeremy Corbyn
Ian Lavery   14 June 2017 5 April 2020 2 years, 296 days Shadow Minister without Portfolio

National Campaign Coordinator

Angela Rayner   5 April 2020 8 May 2021 1 year, 33 days Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Shadow First Secretary of State

National Campaign Coordinator

Sir Keir Starmer
Anneliese Dodds   9 May 2021 6 July 2024 3 years, 58 days Chair of the Labour Policy Review

Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities

Ellie Reeves   6 July 2024 Incumbent 150 days Minister of State without Portfolio

Timeline

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Ellie ReevesAnneliese DoddsAngela RaynerIan LaveryTom WatsonHarriet HarmanHazel BlearsIan McCartneyJohn Reid, Baron Reid of CardowanCharles Clarke

References

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  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.