Dari Taylor MP

I was born into a staunch Labour Party family in South Wales in December 1944. I originally attended Ynyshir Girls' School before moving to Burnley Municipal College when my father, Daniel Jones, was elected to Parliament as the Labour MP for Burnley in 1959. He remained the MP for Burnley until 1983. I attended both the Universities of Nottingham (BA) and Durham (MA) and then lectured at a number of colleges of Further Education. I was active in the Trade Union movement, becoming the Regional Educational Officer for the GMB Union in the Northern Region. At the same time I was an elected member of Sunderland Metropolitan Council between 1986 and the time of my election to Parliament in 1997. I married David Taylor in July 1970 and we have one daughter. I enjoy classical music, walking, and travelling. I have a particular interest in issues relating to women, health, the economy and industry, defence, international development, disabilities, drugs and crime and all aspects of child welfare, especially adoption.

I was a member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Defence from 1997 until 1999. Following the 2001 General Election, I was appointed as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to two defence ministers:Dr Lewis Moonie (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Veterans), and Lord Bach of Lutterworth (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Procurement). In July 2003, I accepted the position of Parliamentary Private Secretary to Hazel Blears, Minister of State in the Home Office. I held this position until July 2005, when I was appointed by the Prime Minister to the Intelligence & Security Committee.

I am Joint Chair of the All Party Adoption & Fostering Group, Chair of the All Party Infertility Group, Secretary to the All Party Cardiac Risk in the Young Group and to the All Party Child Abduction Group, and Treasurer of the All Party Chemicals Group and All Party Opera Group. I am a member of the All Party All Cancers Group, the All Party Breast Cancer Group, All Party Steel Group, All Party Packaging Manufacturing Industry Group and the All Party Football Group. I have been elected to represent the Parliamentary Labour Party on the Labour Party's National Policy Forum (NPF), and I sit on the NPF's 'Creating Sustainable Communities' Policy Commission. I am Chair of the Northern Group of Labour MPs, Secretary of Labour Friends of India and a member of the GMB group of MPs. I am an active and enthusiastic member of the All Party Tap Dancing Group and occasionally perform with the Division Belles (see the photo above). I also sing with the Parliament Choir.