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.

In February 2004, I was selected as Labour’s candidate in Kingston upon Hull North. On 5 May 2005 I was elected, with almost 52% of the vote and a 7,351 majority, to be Member of Parliament for Hull North - and Hull’s first female MP. 

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, I have served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).  

I live in the Hull North constituency with my partner and our black Labrador, George. I am a season ticket holder with 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 a Westminster office.  

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 www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?pid=11647&pop=1#n4.

For the 2010 General Election, I have made a voluntary Declaration of Interests as a candidate, which I publish here.