Ben Bradshaw facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable Sir Ben Bradshaw
Official portrait, 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
In office 11 May 2010 – 8 October 2010
Leader	Harriet Harman (Acting) Ed Miliband
Preceded by	Jeremy Hunt
Succeeded by	Ivan Lewis
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
In office 5 June 2009 – 11 May 2010
Prime Minister	Gordon Brown
Preceded by	Andy Burnham
Succeeded by	Jeremy Hunt
Minister of State for Health
In office 28 June 2007 – 5 June 2009
Prime Minister	Gordon Brown
Preceded by	Andy Burnham
Succeeded by	Mike O'Brien
Minister for the South West
In office 28 June 2007 – 5 June 2009
Prime Minister	Gordon Brown
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Jim Knight
Minister of State for Local Environment, Marine and Animal Welfare
In office 13 June 2003 – 28 June 2007
Prime Minister	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Elliot Morley
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Deputy Leader of the House of Commons
In office 29 May 2002 – 13 June 2003
Prime Minister	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Stephen Twigg
Succeeded by	Phil Woolas
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
In office 12 June 2001 – 29 May 2002
Prime Minister	Tony Blair
Preceded by	The Baroness Scotland of Asthal
Succeeded by	Mike O'Brien
Member of Parliament for Exeter
In office 1 May 1997 – 30 May 2024
Preceded by	John Hannam
Succeeded by	Steve Race
Personal details
Born	Benjamin Peter James Bradshaw (1960-08-30) 30 August 1960 (age 64) London, England
Political party	Labour
Spouse	Neal Dalgleish
Alma mater	University of Sussex
Website	Official website: http://www.benbradshaw.co.uk/ parliament..ben-bradshaw

Sir Benjamin Peter James Bradshaw (born 30 August 1960) is a British politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Exeter from 1997 to 2024. He was part of the Labour Party. From 2009 to 2010, he served as the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Before becoming an MP, he worked as a reporter for BBC Radio.

Early Life and Journalism Career

Ben Bradshaw was born in London. His father was a priest. He went to Thorpe Grammar School. Later, he studied German at the University of Sussex. He also spent time studying in Germany. From 1982 to 1983, he taught English in Switzerland.

In 1984, Bradshaw started his career as a reporter. He worked for local newspapers first. In 1986, he joined BBC Radio Devon. He became a correspondent for BBC Radio in Berlin in 1989. He was in Berlin when the Berlin Wall fell. This was a very important historical event. In 1991, he became a reporter for The World at One. This was a BBC Radio news program. He won the Sony News Reporter Award in 1993.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

First Election and Early Work

Ben Bradshaw was chosen to run for MP in Exeter. This happened before the 1997 general election. He won the election and became the Labour MP for Exeter. He gave his first speech in the House of Commons on 4 July 1997.

As an MP, Bradshaw worked on new laws. In 1998, he introduced the Pesticides Act. This law gave more power to inspectors. It helped to make sure pesticides were used safely. In 2000, he became a Parliamentary Private Secretary. This role helps a minister with their duties. He worked for the Minister of State at the Department of Health.

Working as a Government Minister

After the 2001 general election, Ben Bradshaw became a minister. He worked in Tony Blair's government. His first role was at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He had to answer questions about the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.

In 2002, he became the Deputy to the Leader of the House of Commons. This role helps manage the business of Parliament. From 2003 to 2006, he worked at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. He became a Minister of State in this department. He helped negotiate changes to fishing rules for British fishermen. In 2003, he supported the government's decision to go to war in Iraq. He voted for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Official photograph of Bradshaw when Minister of State in the Department of Health

On 28 June 2007, he became a Minister of State in the Department of Health. He also became the Minister for the South West region. While at the Department of Health, he spoke about NHS dentistry. He also talked about how computer technology was used in the National Programme for IT. He said it was helping the NHS.

Culture Secretary and Opposition

In June 2009, Ben Bradshaw became the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. He was in charge of things like arts, sports, and media. He held this job until the 2010 general election. After the election, his party was no longer in power. He then served as the Shadow Culture Secretary.

In October 2010, he was not elected to the Shadow cabinet of the new leader, Ed Miliband. In 2011, Bradshaw voted for the military action in Libya. After the 2015 general election, he tried to become the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. He was not successful in this election.

Bradshaw had some disagreements with Jeremy Corbyn, a former Labour leader. He criticized Corbyn in 2016. However, he later praised Corbyn's performance in the 2017 election. In December 2016, Bradshaw said it was "highly probable" that the 2016 Brexit referendum result was influenced by Vladimir Putin. He believed this was part of a pattern of interference. He also said he received a suspicious email that he thought was a cyberattack.

On 3 February 2022, Ben Bradshaw announced he would not run for MP again in the 2024 general election.

Other Activities and Personal Life

In 2009, Ben Bradshaw won the Stonewall Politician of the Year Award. This award was for his work supporting equality for people. He was given a high score by Stonewall for his efforts. In 2009, he became a member of the Privy Council. This gave him the special title "The Right Honourable".

Ben Bradshaw was knighted in 2023. This means he received the title "Sir" for his public service. His brother, Jonathan Bradshaw, is a professor.

See also

• Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum