Hazel Blears

Official photograph of Hazel Blears MP (cropped)

Hazel Blears is a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Salford from 1997 to 2015. A member of the Labour Party, Blears held several key positions in government under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, including Minister of State for Policing, Counter-Terrorism, and Community Safety. She was also a member of the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government from 2007 to 2009. Blears was known for her work on community cohesion and her efforts to bridge the gap between the government and local communities.

Early Life and Education

Hazel Anne Blears was born on 14 May 1956 in Salford, Lancashire, England. She grew up in a working-class family; her father was a maintenance fitter and her mother worked in a factory. Blears was educated at Wardley Grammar School and then went on to study Law at Trent Polytechnic (now Nottingham Trent University), where she received a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree. She later qualified as a solicitor and worked in local government and the NHS before entering politics.

Political Career

Blears began her political career in local government, serving on the Salford City Council from 1984 to 1992. Her early involvement in politics was marked by her commitment to social justice and community development.

In the 1997 general election, Blears was elected as the MP for Salford, succeeding Stan Orme. Throughout her tenure in Parliament, she was an active member of the Labour Party, holding various positions within the party and government. Blears was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health in 2001, where she was responsible for public health and mental health services.

In 2003, she was promoted to Minister of State in the Home Office, focusing on crime reduction and policing. Blears played a significant role in the government's counter-terrorism initiatives and was involved in the development of community policing strategies.

In 2007, following a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Blears was appointed Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. In this role, she focused on local government reform, community empowerment, and social cohesion. Blears was instrumental in promoting the concept of "double devolution," which aimed to transfer powers from the national government to local authorities and then to communities.

Resignation and Later Career

In 2009, Blears was involved in a controversy over her expenses claims, which was part of a wider parliamentary expenses scandal. She resigned from her cabinet position in June 2009 but continued to serve as an MP until she stepped down in 2015.

After leaving Parliament, Blears has been involved in various charitable and community initiatives. She has also appeared as a commentator on political and social issues.

Legacy

Hazel Blears' political career is marked by her dedication to community engagement and social justice. Despite the controversy surrounding her expenses claims, her contributions to local government reform and community empowerment are notable. Blears' work on policing and counter-terrorism has also had a lasting impact on the UK's approach to these critical issues.