Alan Campbell (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Alan Campbell
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Chief Whip of the House of Commons Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury |
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| Assumed office 5 July 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Simon Hart |
| Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Commons | |
| In office 9 May 2021 – 5 July 2024 |
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| Leader | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Nick Brown |
| Succeeded by | Stuart Andrew |
| Opposition Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Commons | |
| In office 8 October 2010 – 9 May 2021 |
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| Leader | Ed Miliband Harriet Harman (Acting) Jeremy Corbyn Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | John Randall |
| Succeeded by | Lilian Greenwood |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime Reduction | |
| In office 5 October 2008 – 11 May 2010 |
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| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | Vernon Coaker |
| Succeeded by | James Brokenshire |
| Lord Commissioner of the Treasury | |
| In office 5 May 2006 – 5 October 2008 |
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| Prime Minister | Tony Blair Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | Vernon Coaker |
| Succeeded by | Tony Cunningham |
| Member of Parliament for Tynemouth |
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| Assumed office 1 May 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Neville Trotter |
| Majority | 15,455 (31.9%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 July 1957 Consett, County Durham, England |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse | Jayne Lamont |
| Alma mater | Lancaster University University of Leeds Northumbria University |
Sir Alan Campbell (born 8 July 1957) is a British politician from the Labour Party. Since 1997, he has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tynemouth. An MP is someone elected to represent their local area in the House of Commons.
In July 2024, he was given the important job of Government Chief Whip. A chief whip is like a team captain for a political party in Parliament. They make sure the party's MPs are in the right place at the right time to vote on new laws.
Contents
Early Life and Teaching Career
Alan Campbell was born in Consett, a town in County Durham, England. He went to Blackfyne Grammar School before studying politics at Lancaster University. He later trained to be a teacher at the University of Leeds. He also earned a Master's degree in history from Newcastle Polytechnic.
In 1981, he started his career as a history teacher at Whitley Bay High School. After eight years, he became the head of the sixth form (the final two years of school) at Hirst High School in Ashington. He worked there until he was elected to Parliament.
Political Career
Becoming a Member of Parliament
Campbell was first elected as the MP for Tynemouth in the 1997 general election. He won with a large number of votes. On 2 June 1997, he made his maiden speech, which is the first speech a new MP gives in the House of Commons.
He was re-elected in the 2001 election. Afterwards, he became a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS), which is an MP who helps a government minister. He first assisted the minister Gus Macdonald and later helped Adam Ingram at the Ministry of Defence.
In the 2005 election, Campbell won his seat again. He then joined the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair as a whip. In 2008, he was promoted to a junior minister role at the Home Office, where he worked on crime reduction.
Working in Opposition
From 2010 to 2024, the Labour Party was the main opposition party, meaning it was not in power. During this time, Campbell continued to be re-elected as the MP for Tynemouth in the 2010, 2015, 2017, and 2019 elections.
After the 2010 election, he was appointed Deputy Chief Whip for the Labour Party. He held this role for over ten years, working with several party leaders, including Ed Miliband, Jeremy Corbyn, and Keir Starmer. In May 2021, he was promoted to be the Opposition Chief Whip.
Return to Government
In the 2024 general election, the Labour Party won by a large margin. Campbell was re-elected in Tynemouth with his biggest majority ever.
Following the victory, Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed him as the Government Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury. This is one of the most important roles in helping the government run smoothly.
In November 2024, Campbell voted in favour of a proposed law about end-of-life choices for adults with terminal illnesses. In July 2025, he also voted for a bill that changed how financial support is given to people with disabilities.
Personal Life
Alan Campbell married Jayne Lamont in 1991. They have a son and a daughter.
In 2000, he had an operation to remove a benign tumour, which is a non-cancerous growth, from his spine.
For his long service in politics, he was made a Knight Bachelor in the 2019 New Year Honours. This is why he has the title "Sir".
