Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North

Diana Johnson, MP for Hull North

I was born and brought up in the North West of England. After studying Law at University, I
was called to the Bar in 1991.  For many years, I worked for community law centres, specialising in welfare and employment law.  I have also worked as a National Officer for a civil service trade union.

I was a local authority councillor from 1994 to 2002, chairing the Social Services Committee for several years. In 2003, I became a London-wide Assembly member on the Greater London Authority.

For many years I have been very involved in the NHS and was a visiting legal member of the Mental Health Act Commission making sure that people detained under the mental Health Act 1983 were legally and safely detained in psychiatric units.  I have also been a Non-Executive Director in a Primary Care Trust and at an Acute District General Hospital.

On 5 May 2005 I was elected as Member of Parliament for Hull North - and Hull’s first female MP. I was re-elected in May 2010.

My particular areas of interest as the MP for Hull North are tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, raising education standards in our secondary schools, improving the public health of the city and the overall economic regeneration of Hull.

Since being elected, I have been delighted to visit many schools, voluntary sector groups, health services and charities all over the constituency. I am Honorary Patron of Danny's Dream, a voluntary sector project in Hull that helps young adults with severe physical disabilities or learning difficulties.

At Westminster, I served as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Stephen Timms MP between November 2005 and June 2007. Between 29 June 2007 and 8 June 2009 I was as an Assistant Whip in the Government.

Since 9 June 2009 to May 2010 I served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). From May 2010 to October 2010 I was a Labour Shadow Health Minister and since October 2010 I have been a Shadow Home Office Minister with responsibility for policing policy.

I live in the Hull North constituency with my partner and our black Labrador and follow the fortunes of Hull City.

House of Commons Office

I have an office at Westminster. This is staffed by one full-time member of staff who provides research and support in my work at the House of Commons. From time to time, I also take interns from educational courses. This gives them experience of working in Westminster.  

Constituency Office

My main office is based in Hull, where my casework is dealt with and my regular appointment-only advice surgeries are organised. This office is open on weekdays from 9.30am to 5pm. Again, I sometimes take interns and volunteers who wish to gain experience working with a busy MP.  

Constituency Visits

If you would like me to visit a group or service you are involved with please contact my Hull office on 01482 319135 to arrange a convenient time and date.

For more information about my work in Parliament since May 2005, go to http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cmallfiles/mps/commons_hansard_4791_home.html.