Jennette Arnold facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jennette Arnold OBE
Arnold in 2012
Chair of the London Assembly
In office 2 May 2019 – 15 May 2020
Preceded by	Tony Arbour
Succeeded by	Navin Shah
In office 3 May 2017 – 10 May 2018
Preceded by	Tony Arbour
Succeeded by	Tony Arbour
In office May 2015 – May 2016
Preceded by	Roger Evans
Succeeded by	Tony Arbour
In office May 2011 – May 2013
Preceded by	Dee Doocey
Succeeded by	Darren Johnson
In office May 2008 – May 2009
Preceded by	Sally Hamwee
Succeeded by	Darren Johnson
Member of the London Assembly for North East
In office 10 June 2004 – 8 May 2021
Preceded by	Meg Hillier
Succeeded by	Sem Moema
Member of the London Assembly as the 8th Additional Member
In office 4 July 2000 – 10 June 2004
Preceded by	David Lammy
Succeeded by	Nicky Gavron
Personal details
Born	Montserrat
Nationality	British
Political party	Labour Co-op

Jennette Arnold, OBE, is a politician who worked for the Labour Co-op party. She is best known for serving as the Chair of the London Assembly. The London Assembly is an elected group that checks the work of the Mayor of London to make sure they are doing a good job for the city.

From 2004 to 2021, Arnold represented the North East part of London. This area includes the boroughs of Hackney, Islington, and Waltham Forest.

Early Life and Career

Jennette Arnold was born on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. She moved to the United Kingdom and trained to be a nurse.

After her nursing career, she worked in other important roles. She was an Industrial Relations Officer, helping to solve problems between employers and workers. She also worked for the Royal College of Nursing, a group that supports nurses.

Becoming a Politician

Starting in Local Government

Arnold's political career began in 1998 when she was elected to Islington Council. A council is a group of people who run a local area. She did so well that she later became the deputy mayor of Islington.

Joining the London Assembly

In 2000, the Greater London Authority was created to govern London. Arnold was on the list to become a member of the new London Assembly. She didn't get a spot at first. But in July 2000, a member resigned, and Arnold took his place.

In 2004, she was elected by voters to represent the North East part of London. She held this position until 2021.

Work in the London Assembly

Leadership and Key Roles

Jennette Arnold was a very respected member of the Assembly. She was chosen to be the Chair of the London Assembly five different times. This is a very important job, similar to being the head of the group.

She was also the Labour group's main expert on education. She led the Assembly's Education Panel, working to improve schools for children in London.

Important Campaigns

During her time in the Assembly, Arnold worked hard on many issues. She fought for better education for young people with special needs and disabilities. She also pushed for better train services on the Gospel Oak to Barking line.

One of her biggest campaigns was to stop a harmful practice that hurts girls and women. She was inspired to fight against this after seeing a victim of the practice when she was a student nurse.

Arnold also played a key role in bringing the 2012 Olympic Games to London.

Recognition and Other Work

In 2007, the New Nation newspaper named Arnold one of the 50 most influential black women in Britain.

Outside of politics, she has been involved in many cultural groups. She has helped guide the Royal Court Theatre, the Museum of London, and the Sadler's Wells Theatre. She is also a supporter of the Victoria Climbie Foundation, a charity that protects children.

In the 2015 Labour leadership election, she supported Jeremy Corbyn.

Leaving the Assembly

In January 2019, Arnold announced that she would not run for re-election in 2020. She stepped down as Chair in May 2020.

The 2020 election was moved to 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant she continued to serve as an Assembly Member for one more year, officially leaving in May 2021.