Rosalie Winterton (born 10 August 1958) is a British Labour politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Doncaster Central since 1997; currently, Winterton is a Minister of State for Regional Economic Development and Co-ordination, where she works jointly with the new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Communities and Local Government.
[edit] Early life
Educated at St. Mary's (now Hill House School, Doncaster), Danum Grammar School for Girls (later called Danum School, now called Danum School Technology College) on Danum Road[1] and then reading for a BA in History at the University of Hull[2] in 1979, Winterton first worked as John Prescott's Constituency Personal Assistant from 1980 until 1986,[2] and then Parliamentary Officers, first for Southwark Council for two years until 1988 and then for a further two for the Royal College of Nursing until 1990.[2] After working for four years in the private sector, as MD of Connect Public Affairs, Winterton returned to politics to assist John Prescott in 1994, as the Head of Office for the then-deputy Party Leader until 1997.[2]
[edit] Parliamentary career
Winterton became an MP in the 1997 election, serving the safe Labour seat of Doncaster Central constituency with a vote share exceeding 50% in each general election since then.[3] She entered government in 2001, serving as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Lord Chancellor's Department, and became a Minister of State at the Department for Health in June 2003; in January 2006 her responsibilities were changed to Health Services,[4] including responsibility for dentistry. She presided over the introduction of the new NHS dental contract of April 2006.
In June 2006, she was appointed to the Privy Council,[5] and she was sworn in on 19 July 2006.
In June 2007, she was appointed Minister of State at the Department for Transport by the new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.[6] Winterton was subsequently appointed Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber in addition to her DfT responsibilities on 24 January 2008. She was promoted to Minister of State for Pensions at the Department for Work and Pensions in the October 2008 reshuffle, retaining her Ministerial brief for Yorkshire and the Humber.
Winterton was caught up in the row over MPs' expenses when it was claimed she used taxpayers' cash to soundproof the bedroom of her south London flat. According to the Daily Telegraph, the minister claimed a total of £86,277 over four years in additional costs allowance - close to the total allowed under Parliament's green book. In the June 2009 reshuffle Winterton was moved to Minister of State for Regional Economic Development and Co-ordination at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Communities and Local Government. She is now invited to attend cabinet when her responsibility is on the agenda.
Rosie Winterton has held the following positions:
- June 2001-June 2003 - Parliamentary under Secretary of State at the Lord Chancellor's Department
- June 2003-June 2007 - Minister of State for Health Services
- June 2007-October 2008 - Minister of State at the Department for Transport
- January 2008-present - Minister for Yorkshire & the Humber
- October 2008-June 2009 - Minister of State for Pensions
- June 2009-present - Minister of State for Regional Development & Coordination
[edit] Laws signed
The Removal and Disposal of Vehicles (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2007
[edit] Personal life
She is not related to the Conservative Party politicians Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
