Angela Eagle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dame
Angela Eagle
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum | |
| Assumed office 8 July 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Michael Tomlinson (Countering Illegal Migration) |
| Minister of State for Pensions and Ageing Society | |
| In office 8 June 2009 – 11 May 2010 |
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| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | Rosie Winterton |
| Succeeded by | Steve Webb |
| Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury | |
| In office 29 June 2007 – 8 June 2009 |
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| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | Phillip Oppenheim |
| Succeeded by | Kitty Ussher |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs | |
| In office 11 June 2001 – 28 May 2002 |
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| Prime Minister | Tony Blair |
| Preceded by | Mike O'Brien |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Filkin |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security | |
| In office 28 July 1998 – 7 June 2001 |
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| Prime Minister | Tony Blair |
| Preceded by | Keith Bradley |
| Succeeded by | Malcolm Wicks |
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions | |
| In office 6 May 1997 – 28 July 1998 |
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| Prime Minister | Tony Blair |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Alan Meale |
| Member of Parliament for Wallasey |
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| Assumed office 9 April 1992 |
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| Preceded by | Lynda Chalker |
| Majority | 17,996 (42.1%) |
| Shadow cabinet portfolios | |
| 2015–2016 | Shadow First Secretary of State |
| 2015–2016 | Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills |
| 2011–2015 | Shadow Leader of the House of Commons |
| 2010–2011 | Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 February 1961 Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Political party | Labour |
| Domestic partner | Maria Exall |
| Relatives | Maria Eagle (sister) |
| Alma mater | St John's College, Oxford (BA) |
Dame Angela Eagle, born on 17 February 1961, is a British politician from the Labour Party. She has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Wallasey since 1992. An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the House of Commons.
Since July 2024, Angela Eagle has served as the Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum. Before this, she was the Minister of State for Pensions and Ageing Society from June 2009 to May 2010. She also held important roles in the Shadow cabinet, which is made up of leading members of the main opposition party. These roles included Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons.
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Early Life and Education
Angela Eagle was born in Bridlington, England. Her mother, Shirley, worked in a factory, and her father, André, was a print worker. She attended St Peter's C of E Primary School and Formby High School.
Chess Champion and University Studies
In 1976, Angela Eagle showed her talent by becoming a joint winner of the British Girls' Under-18 chess championship. She later studied philosophy, politics and economics at St John's College, Oxford. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983. While at Oxford, she was the chairwoman of the Oxford University Fabian Society, a group that promotes socialist ideas.
Early Career Before Parliament
After finishing university in 1984, Eagle worked for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which represents businesses. She then joined the Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE) trade union, where she held several different jobs. From 1989, she also served as secretary for the local Labour Party group in Peckham for two years.
Political Career in Parliament
Angela Eagle began her career in Parliament after being elected as the MP for Wallasey in the 1992 general election. She won with 48.9% of the votes.
Serving on Committees
In 1994, she became a member of the Employment Select committee. These committees look closely at the work of government departments. In January 2003, she joined the Treasury Select Committee, which examines the government's economic policies.
Re-elections and Key Votes
Eagle was re-elected as MP for Wallasey in several general elections, including 1997, 2001, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2024. Her support from voters varied over these elections. As a backbencher (an MP who is not a minister), she voted in favour of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Important Moments as an MP
In April 2008, Angela Eagle took part in a debate about the UK economy. She disagreed with those who warned about a housing market "bubble" and a risk of recession. In April 2011, she was involved in a notable exchange in the House of Commons when the Prime Minister told her to "Calm down, dear." This comment led to discussions about how politicians speak to each other.
In May 2012, Eagle became the chair of the Labour Party's National Policy Forum. She also chaired the party's National Executive Committee from 2013 to 2014. In June 2012, she spoke in Parliament about tax avoidance concerns related to a famous singer.
Government Roles
Under Tony Blair's Government
In 1996, Angela Eagle was promoted to an Opposition Whip by Tony Blair. Whips help to make sure MPs vote in line with their party's policies. After the 1997 general election, she became a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. She then moved to the Department of Social Security in 1998. After the 2001 general election, she became an Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office.
Under Gordon Brown's Government
Angela Eagle returned to government under Gordon Brown on 29 June 2007. She became the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, a junior minister role at HM Treasury, which manages the UK's economy. In June 2009, she was promoted to Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Shadow Cabinet Roles
Under Ed Miliband's Leadership
After Ed Miliband became the leader of the Labour Party in 2010, Angela Eagle was elected to his shadow cabinet. She was appointed to shadow the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, meaning she would challenge the government's minister in that role. In October 2011, she became Shadow Leader of the House of Commons.
Deputy Leadership Election
After Labour lost the 2015 general election, Angela Eagle ran in the Labour Party deputy leadership election. She received support from several trade unions. She finished fourth in the election.
Under Jeremy Corbyn's Leadership
Following the leadership election, Jeremy Corbyn appointed Angela Eagle as Shadow First Secretary of State and Shadow Business Secretary in September 2015. She resigned from these positions on 27 June 2016, along with many other Shadow Cabinet members. This happened after the UK voted to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum, where Eagle had supported remaining.
Leadership Challenge
In July 2016, Angela Eagle announced she would challenge Jeremy Corbyn for the leadership of the Labour Party. She stated that she believed she could provide the leadership the party needed. However, she withdrew from the leadership election eight days later, choosing to support another candidate, Owen Smith. During this time, there were reports of safety concerns at her constituency office.
Personal Life and Recognition
Angela Eagle has an identical twin sister, Maria Eagle, who also became an MP in 1997. They are one of two pairs of sisters who have served in the House of Commons.
Angela Eagle was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2021 New Year Honours. This honor recognized her long service in Parliament and politics. She is also an honorary associate of the National Secular Society.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2024
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Speaking at a 2015 Labour Party deputy leadership election meeting in Bath
