Hazel Blears facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable Hazel Blears
Official portrait, 2007
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
In office 28 June 2007 – 5 June 2009
Prime Minister	Gordon Brown
Preceded by	Ruth Kelly
Succeeded by	John Denham
Minister without portfolio
In office 5 May 2006 – 28 June 2007
Prime Minister	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Ian McCartney
Succeeded by	The Baroness Warsi
Chairman of the Labour Party
In office 5 May 2006 – 24 June 2007
Leader	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Ian McCartney
Succeeded by	Harriet Harman
Junior ministerial offices Minister of State for Policing, Security and Community Safety In office 13 June 2003 – 5 May 2006 Prime Minister Tony Blair Preceded by John Denham Succeeded by Tony McNulty Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health In office 11 June 2001 – 13 June 2003 Prime Minister Tony Blair Preceded by Gisela Stuart Succeeded by Stephen Ladyman
Member of Parliament for Salford and Eccles Salford (1997–2010)
In office 1 May 1997 – 30 March 2015
Preceded by	Stanley Orme
Succeeded by	Rebecca Long-Bailey
Personal details
Born	Hazel Anne Blears (1956-05-14) 14 May 1956 (age 69) Salford, Lancashire, England
Political party	Labour
Spouse	Michael Halsall
Alma mater	Trent Polytechnic College of Law
Website	Official website: http://www.hazelblears.co.uk

Hazel Anne Blears (born 14 May 1956) is a British former Labour Party politician. She served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Salford and later Salford and Eccles. She was an MP from 1997 until 2015.

As one of many women Labour MPs elected in 1997, Blears held important roles in the Cabinet. She was a Minister without Portfolio and Chair of the Labour Party from 2006 to 2007. Later, she became Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government from 2007 to 2009.

Early Life and Education

Hazel Blears was born in Salford, Lancashire, England, on 14 May 1956. Her father, Arthur Blears, worked as a maintenance fitter. When she was five years old, Hazel appeared as an extra in the English film A Taste of Honey. You can see her bouncing a ball in the movie's opening credits.

She attended Worsley Wardley Grammar School and then Eccles College. She studied law at Trent Polytechnic in Nottingham, which is now called Nottingham Trent University. She also studied at the Chester College of Law in 1977.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

Hazel Blears was known for being very good at connecting with people. She ran for Parliament in 1987 and 1992 but did not win. In the 1997 general election, she was elected as the Labour MP for Salford. This was her home area.

After becoming an MP, she worked as a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS). This role supports a government minister. She worked for Alan Milburn at the Department of Health and later for Andrew Smith at the Treasury.

Before the 2001 general election, Blears was part of the Labour Party's campaign team. This helped her become more well-known across the country.

In the 2010 general election, the areas for MPs changed. Her old constituency was removed. She won the chance to be the Labour candidate for the new area of Salford and Eccles and was elected as its MP.

During her time in Parliament, some people called her "Chipmunk." Later, she was even called "the Iron Chipmunk." This was a playful reference to Margaret Thatcher, who was known as "the Iron Lady."

Working as a Government Minister

After the 2001 general election, Hazel Blears joined Tony Blair's government. She became a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health. In this role, she was in charge of Public Health. She helped launch the government's "5-a-day" campaign. This campaign encouraged people to eat more fruit and vegetables.

In 2003, Blears was promoted to Minister of State for Policing, Security and Community Safety. She also joined the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party. In 2005, she became a Member of the Privy Council. This is a group of senior advisors to the King. In 2006, Tony Blair made her the Labour Party Chair.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Blears in 2013

On 28 June 2007, when Gordon Brown became the new Prime Minister, he appointed Hazel Blears as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. This meant she was a senior minister responsible for local councils and communities. She kept this job even after a government reshuffle in 2008.

Running for Deputy Leader

On 24 February 2007, Hazel Blears announced she wanted to become the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. She was one of six people running for the job. She came in last place, and Harriet Harman won the election on 24 June 2007.

Leaving the Cabinet

On 3 June 2009, Hazel Blears announced she would leave the Cabinet. This happened just before important elections. She later said she regretted how and when she announced her resignation. Her departure was one of several from the Labour government that summer.

Later Parliamentary Work (2010–2015)

From 2010 to 2015, Hazel Blears was a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament. This committee looks at the work of the UK's intelligence agencies. She helped present a report from the committee about privacy and security.

In 2013, Blears started a program called "Kids without Connections." This program helped young people aged 16 to 24 get work experience. Local businesses in Salford and Eccles offered these placements. The goal was to help young people gain skills and find jobs. As a result, 16 out of the first 42 young people in the program found a full-time job or apprenticeship.

She decided not to run for re-election in the 2015 general election.

After Parliament

After leaving Parliament in May 2015, Hazel Blears became a director at The Co-operative Group. She also joined their Risk and Audit Committee and Nominations Committee. In 2016, she became the Chair of the Social Investment Business.

She has also worked as Chair of the Institute for Dementia at the University of Salford. She is an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society and a trustee for the Social Mobility Foundation. In September 2020, Blears was appointed as a "Social Value Specialist" for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Personal Life

Hazel Blears married Michael Halsall in 1989. They do not have any children.

In 2005, Blears was part of a parliamentary tap-dancing group called the Division Belles. Other members included Caroline Flint and Beverley Hughes.

Images for kids

• 

  Official portrait, 2007

• 

  Blears in 2013

• 

  Blears in June 2009