Steve Bassam, Baron Bassam of Brighton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Lord Bassam of Brighton PC
Official portrait, 2018
Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal
Incumbent
Assumed office 18 November 1997 Life Peerage
Former offices 1999-2018 Opposition Chief Whip of the House of Lords In office 11 May 2010 – 24 January 2018 Leader Harman (Acting), Miliband, Corbyn Preceded by The Baroness Anelay of St John's Succeeded by The Lord McAvoy Chief Whip of the House of Lords Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms In office 3 October 2008 – 11 May 2010 Prime Minister Gordon Brown Preceded by The Baroness Royall of Blaisdon Succeeded by The Baroness Anelay of St John's Lord-in-waiting Government Whip In office 7 June 2001 – 5 October 2008 Prime Minister Blair, Brown Preceded by The Baroness Amos Succeeded by The Lord Tunnicliffe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs In office 29 July 1999 – 7 June 2001 Prime Minister Tony Blair Preceded by Kate Hoey Succeeded by Beverley Hughes
Personal details
Born	John Steven Bassam (1953-06-11) 11 June 1953 (age 72) Hull, England, UK
Political party	Labour and Co-operative
Alma mater	University of Sussex University of Kent

John Steven Bassam, also known as Lord Bassam of Brighton, was born on June 11, 1953. He is a British politician from the Labour and Co-operative parties. He is a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament.

Early Life and Education

Lord Bassam grew up in Great Bentley, Essex, in a home provided by the local council. He attended a boys' secondary school in Pathfield Road, which is now called Clacton Coastal Academy.

After school, he continued his studies at the University of Sussex and the University of Kent. He earned a Master's degree in social work.

Lord Bassam started his career helping people as a social worker at Camden Council. He then worked in other roles for local government. He was an assistant secretary at the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, which later became the Local Government Association.

In his younger years in Brighton, Lord Bassam supported people living in empty properties. He helped start a group that worked to improve conditions for these residents. In 1976, he spoke out against a family being asked to leave their home. He said they would leave if another family needing a home could move in. In 2013, he stated he would not support anyone occupying someone else's private home.

Political Journey

Lord Bassam became active in local politics. He was elected as a councillor in Brighton. He became the leader of the Brighton Council, and later the Brighton and Hove Council, from 1987 to 1999.

In 1987, he ran for Parliament in Brighton Kemptown but did not win.

On November 3, 1997, he was given the title of Baron Bassam of Brighton. This made him a life peer, meaning he became a member of the House of Lords for life. He officially joined the House of Lords on November 18, sitting with the Labour Party.

Roles in Government

In 1999, Lord Bassam was promoted to a government role as a junior minister for the Home Office. This department deals with law and order in the UK.

In 2001, he became a Lord-in-waiting. This means he was a Government Whip in the House of Lords. Whips help make sure members of their party vote in line with the party's plans. He also spoke for the government on Home Office matters until 2008.

During this time, he also represented the government for other departments. These included the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Cabinet Office, and the Department for Communities and Local Government. He also worked with the Attorney General's Office, the Department for Transport, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

In 2008, Prime Minister Gordon Brown made him the Labour Chief Whip. This meant he was the main whip for the Labour Party in the House of Lords. He also became the Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms, a ceremonial role. On July 8, 2009, he became a Privy Councillor, which is a special advisory body to the King.

When the Labour Party was no longer in power in 2010, he became the Opposition Chief Whip. This meant he led the whips for the Labour Party while they were not in government.

In late 2011 and early 2012, Lord Bassam had discussions on Twitter with members of the Green Party in Brighton and Hove. They talked about budget cuts made by the Green-led council.