Kerry McCarthy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kerry McCarthy
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Climate | |
| Assumed office 9 July 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Shadow Minister for Climate Change | |
| In office 29 June 2022 – 5 July 2024 |
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| Leader | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Olivia Blake |
| Succeeded by | TBC |
| Shadow Minister for Green Transport | |
| In office 9 April 2020 – 4 December 2021 |
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| Leader | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Gill Furniss |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | |
| In office 13 September 2015 – 26 June 2016 |
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| Leader | Jeremy Corbyn |
| Preceded by | Maria Eagle |
| Succeeded by | Rachael Maskell |
| Shadow Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs | |
| In office 7 October 2011 – 13 September 2015 |
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| Leader | Ed Miliband |
| Preceded by | Emma Reynolds |
| Succeeded by | Diana Johnson |
| Shadow Treasury Minister | |
| In office 8 October 2010 – 7 October 2011 |
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| Leader | Ed Miliband |
| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | Position Abolished |
| Shadow Minister for Disabled People | |
| Acting 6 May 2010 – 8 October 2010 |
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| Leader | Harriet Harman |
| Preceded by | Mark Harper |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Curran |
| Member of Parliament for Bristol East |
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| Assumed office 5 May 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Jean Corston |
| Majority | 6,606 (14.3%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Kerry Gillian McCarthy
26 March 1965 Luton, Bedfordshire, England |
| Political party | Labour |
| Residences | Bristol, England London, England Luton, Bedfordshire, England |
| Alma mater | University of Liverpool London Guildhall University University of London |
Kerry Gillian McCarthy (born March 26, 1965) is a British politician. She has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bristol East since 2005. She belongs to the Labour Party. From 2015 to 2016, she was the Shadow Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Since July 2024, she has worked as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Climate.
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Early Life and Career Path
Kerry McCarthy was born in Luton, England. She went to Denbigh High School and then Luton Sixth Form College. She studied Russian studies at the University of Liverpool. Later, she studied law at City of London Polytechnic.
In 1994, McCarthy became a solicitor, which is a type of lawyer. She worked for several companies as a lawyer. She also served as a director for London Luton Airport Ltd and Britain in Europe. Before becoming an MP, she was Head of Public Policy at the Waterfront Partnership. She was also a local councillor in Luton.
Parliamentary Career Highlights
In 2005, Kerry McCarthy was chosen to be the Labour candidate for Bristol East. She won the election and became an MP. She joined the Treasury Select Committee, which looks into how the government manages money. She also worked on committees for different laws, like those about borders and mental health.
In 2007, she became a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to a health minister. This role meant she helped the minister with their work. Later, she was a PPS for the Secretary of State for International Development. In 2009, she became a Junior Whip, which involves helping to organize votes in Parliament. She also leads a group of Labour MPs from the South West of England.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
McCarthy was re-elected in 2010. She became an acting Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, focusing on disability issues. In 2010, she became a junior Shadow Treasury Minister. In 2011, she was made Shadow Foreign Office Minister. In this role, she focused on East Asia, South Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and human rights.
In November 2011, Kerry McCarthy made history. She was the first MP to speak in Parliament about why people should become vegan. She also gave a speech using an iPad, which was new at the time.
Environmental and Food Policy
After being re-elected in 2015, Kerry McCarthy was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This meant she was the main opposition spokesperson for topics like farming, food, and the environment. She has strong views on food and animal welfare. She believes in high welfare standards for farm animals.
In 2020, she became the Shadow Green Transport Minister. This role focused on making transport more environmentally friendly. In 2022, she returned to the Labour frontbench as Shadow Minister for Climate Change. In May 2024, she proposed a new law to help children whose parents are in prison. Since July 2024, she has been the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Climate.
Personal Life and Interests
Kerry McCarthy is a vegan. She often gives talks about veganism and has been involved with the Vegan Society. She lives in both Bristol and London. She also owns a house in Luton.
She is a vice-president of the League Against Cruel Sports. This group works to stop cruel activities involving animals. She is also an honorary associate of the National Secular Society.
McCarthy is a big fan of punk and post-punk music. She has written articles about industrial bands like Cabaret Voltaire and Test Dept for the website Louder Than War.
