Jessica Morden

Jessica Elizabeth Morden (born 29 May 1968) is a British Labour Party politician serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Newport East since 2005.

Jessica Morden
MP
Official portrait, 2018
Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition
Assumed office
28 February 2023
LeaderKeir Starmer
Preceded bySharon Hodgson
Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons
Assumed office
4 December 2021
LeaderKeir Starmer
Preceded byAfzal Khan
Shadow Vice Chamberlain of HM Household
Assumed office
10 April 2020
LeaderKeir Starmer
Preceded byPosition Established
Chair of the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments
Assumed office
14 November 2018
Preceded byDerek Twigg
Opposition Whip
In office
18 September 2015 – 10 April 2020
LeaderJeremy Corbyn
Keir Starmer
Member of Parliament
for Newport East
Assumed office
5 May 2005
Preceded byAlan Howarth
Majority1,992 (5.5%)
Personal details
Born (1968-05-29) 29 May 1968
Surrey, England
Political partyLabour
Alma materUniversity of Birmingham
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life and career

Morden was born in Surrey, England and brought up in Cwmbran and educated at Croesyceiliog School before reading History at University of Birmingham.

In 1991, Morden worked for Huw Edwards, MP for Monmouth and between 1992 and 1995 she worked for Llew Smith, MP for Blaenau Gwent. Before becoming an MP, Morden was General Secretary of the Welsh Labour and organized some of the election campaigns for the 1997 election.[1]

Parliamentary career

Morden was selected as the Labour Party candidate for Newport East in 2005 by the all-women shortlists method.[1] She was elected as the first female MP in South East Wales with a 6,800 majority.

Jessica served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Wales The Rt Hon Peter Hain MP until May 2010, and later as Shadow Parliamentary Private Secretary to Owen Smith MP during his time as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales. In her first term Jessica successfully completed the Police Parliamentary Scheme, spending a month during recess with a range of Departments and frontline Police Officers in Gwent Police. She was also appointed by the Speaker to the Members’ Advisory Committee to oversee the setting up of the first ever Nursery in the House of Commons. Jessica served as a Senior Whip in the Opposition Whips’ office with responsibility for EU Withdrawal, Wales and Prime Minister's Questions.

Morden claimed a total of £167,060 in expenses in 2007/08, the 30th highest amount claimed by the 643 members of the House of Commons. Within approved guidelines, Morden used some of the expenses allowance which was unspent from the previous year to provide additional office space after having a baby;[2] the previous year she claimed £133,592, the 406th highest that year.[3]

In March 2008 Jessica Morden was criticized by some of her constituents after voting against a Conservative parliamentary motion to halt the closure of hundreds of Post Offices whilst simultaneously campaigning to save the Christchurch Road branch in Newport East.[4]

She supported Owen Smith in the failed attempt to replace Jeremy Corbyn in the 2016 Labour leadership election.[5]

Jessica Morden was re-elected at the 2017 general election with a much increased majority of 8,003.

She was again re-elected in 2019 general election with a reduced majority of 1,992.

Charity work

Morden is one of nine presidents of The Young People's Trust for the Environment.[6]

References
  1. "Thrilled to win right to fight for city seat". South Wales Argus. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  2. Chalk, Ailsa (31 March 2009). "Gwent MPs claim £896,337 in the last year". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  3. "Jessica Morden". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  4. "MP defends Post Office vote". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  5. "Full list of MPs and MEPs backing challenger Owen Smith". LabourList. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  6. "Our Team | Presidents, Trustees and Staff". Young People's Trust For the Environment.
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