Claire Curtis-Thomas facts for kids

Claire Curtis-Thomas (born 30 April 1958) is a British politician. She was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Crosby. She represented the Labour Party from 1997 to 2010. During her time as an MP, she focused on important issues. These included helping the construction industry. She also worked to expand training programs for young people. Another key area was encouraging more women to work in science, engineering, and technology.

About Claire Curtis-Thomas

Her Early Life and Education

Claire Curtis-Thomas went to Mynyddbach Comprehensive School. This school is in Swansea, Wales. She then studied at Cardiff University. There, she earned a degree in mechanical engineering. She also got a business degree from Aston University. In 1999, she received a special honorary PhD degree. This was given to her for her achievements in technology.

Before becoming an MP, Claire had many different jobs. She worked as a researcher at University College of Wales. Later, she joined Shell Chemicals. She was a mechanical engineer there. She also led their UK supply and distribution. Then she managed environmental strategy. After Shell, she worked for Birmingham City Council. She was a research and development head. She also led strategy and business planning. In 1996, she became a Dean at the University of Wales, Newport. She was also elected as a local councillor. This was for the Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council.

Working as a Member of Parliament

Claire Curtis-Thomas was first elected to the House of Commons in 1997. She won the election for the Crosby area. She beat the existing Conservative MP. She continued to win elections in Crosby. Her first speech in Parliament was about engineering. She gave this speech on 31 July 1997.

When she became an MP, she changed her name. She combined her mother's maiden name, 'Curtis', with her mother's second husband's surname, 'Thomas'. In Parliament, she joined the Science and Technology Select Committee. This group of MPs looks closely at science and technology topics. Later, she joined the Home Affairs Select Committee. She also became a member of the Trade and Industry Committee.

Important Work in Parliament

Claire Curtis-Thomas was one of the few engineers in Parliament. She helped start a special group. It was called Women in Science, Engineering and Design (WISED). This group included MPs from different political parties. They worked together to support women in these fields.

She also helped a charity called the Waterloo Partnership. This charity is based in her local area. It raises money to help people in Waterloo, Sierra Leone.

Why She Left Parliament

The area Claire represented, Crosby, changed its boundaries. It became a new area called Sefton Central. This new area is known as a "Labour safe seat." This means the Labour Party usually wins elections there easily.

On 7 October 2009, Claire Curtis-Thomas announced she would step down. She decided not to run in the 2010 general election. She explained that it was hard to balance her work as an MP with her family life.

Her Life Today

Claire Curtis-Thomas married Philip Tansley in 1984. They later divorced in 1995. In 1996, she married Michael Lewis Jakub. They have a son together.

She was baptised into the Roman Catholic faith in 2003. Today, she is the chief executive of the British Board of Agrément.