About Barbara

Barbara Keeley was elected as the MP for Worsley constituency in May 2005. The constituency includes Worsley, Boothstown and Ellenbrook, Walkden South, Walkden North and Little Hulton.

Boundary changes mean that Worsley wards will become part of the new constituency of Worsley and Eccles South at the next General Election alongside Irlam, Cadishead, Barton and Winton wards. Barbara is the Labour Party's candidate for the new Worsley and Eccles South constituency.

Barbara's background

Barbara was brought up in Leeds attending Mount St Mary’s College and studied at Salford University, gaining a BA in Politics and Contemporary History.

Barbara has much useful career experience in the private and voluntary sectors. Her early career was in the Information Technology Industry, working as a Systems Engineer and Systems Engineering Manager for IBM. Barbara also served as a councillor for 9 years in Trafford where she was council cabinet member for Education and services for children and young people, responsible for a budget of over £100 million. Barbara also worked as an adviser on community regeneration projects across Greater Manchester and as an adviser to a national charity for carers, for whom she co-wrote three national reports on carers’ issues.

Barbara is a member of the GMB union, Lancashire region.

Barbara's work in Westminster

Barbara was appointed Deputy Leader of the House of Commons by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in June 2009. She was an Assistant Government Whip between September 2008 and May 2009.

Barbara previously had a role as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Harriet Harman as Minister for Women and Equality from June 2007. She was also Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Cabinet Office in February 2006 and a Parliamentary Private Secretary to Jim Murphy MP at the Department of Work and Pensions from 2006 to 2007.

As a backbench MP, Barbara became vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Carers and led debates on improving the quality of services to support carers. She introduced two Private Members Bills on the Identification and Support of Carers. In June 2007, Barbara was appointed by Gordon Brown to lead the Labour Party's manifesto work on Social Care. Barbara was Parliamentary Champion for Carers week in 2007 and at the end of 2008 she was awarded the Charity Champions Social Welfare Award for helping to make sure carers voices are heard in Parliament.

Barbara has served on the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee of the House of Commons and is currently a member of the Finance and Services Committee. Barbara has also been a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Primary Care and Public Health, Regeneration, Trade Justice and Treasury/Secretary of the Tibet group.

Barbara’s policy interests include Equality, Health, Carers, Regeneration and her country interests include the EU and the Middle East.

Barbara's work in Worsley constituency

As well as working to improve life for carers, Barbara has worked on many campaigns on behalf of her Worsley constituents.

Barbara has worked to improve local rail and bus services and is against changes to the M60 that would bring lanes of traffic closer to residents' homes. She has also campaigned to improve road safety at an accident black spot on the East Lancashire Road and was against the Congestion Charge.

Barbara has campaigned against increased water charges for community sports clubs, churches and scout groups. She also works to improve facilities for young people and to provide better opportunities for sports and physical activities for girls and young women.

Barbara works with local police and neighbourhood managers against anti-social behaviour and reducing crime. She has also campaigned to prevent assaults on fire-fighters in Salford.

Barbara recently backed a campaign to return funding to Christie's hospital and supports the teenage cancer unit - The Christie Crew.

Barbara has also campaigned for more play areas and improved childcare and early years provision and for more apprenticeships for young people and equality for young women apprentices.