Find out more about the people who are working for you... 

Dawn Primarolo

Dawn Primarolo was born in London in 1954, spending most of her childhood in Crawley, Sussex, where she attended Thomas Bennett Comprehensive School. In 1973 she joined the Labour Party, while employed in an east London Law Centre.

A year later Dawn married and moved to Bristol South, where she had a son and has lived ever since. When her son was three years old, Dawn decided to study for a social science degree at Bristol Polytechnic. By successfully managing the demands of being a mature student and a parent, Dawn gained a BA (Hons) degree and conducted PhD research into women and housing until her studies were interrupted by her election to Parliament.

In addition to her academic studies and periods of work as bookkeeper, legal secretary and typesetter, Dawn also became heavily involved in her local community. She belonged to various women’s groups, was a founder member of Windmill Hill City Farm, a school governor, as well as being active in the local Labour Party. In 1985 she was elected to Avon County Council, where she acted as vice chair of the Equal Opportunities Committee.

In 1987, Dawn was elected MP for Bristol South. She took her role as constituency MP very seriously, holding regular surgeries and keeping in close contact with local organisations – many of which were suffering greatly from the deep recession and massive spending cuts inflicted by the Tories. By highlighting the many ways in which the Tories’ policies were damaging Bristol South, Dawn was re-elected with an increased majority in 1992.

Soon afterwards, she was promoted to Labour’s front bench team – firstly as Shadow Minister for Health and then as a member of the Opposition Treasury team. Labour’s election victory in 1997 earned Dawn a role in the new Labour Government, initially as Financial Secretary and then, in 1999, as Paymaster General. In June 2002, her long service was recognised with her appointment to the Privy Council – making her one of only a handful of women to have ever been given this role. Following the recent government reshuffle, Dawn has moved to work alongside Alan Johnson in the Department of Health.

Although Dawn’s Ministerial responsibilities place severe demands on her time, Dawn always tries to be an approachable constituency MP. She continues to be there for the many constituents who need her help or advice every week, and makes regular visits to local groups, businesses and schools. Dawn is also a patron of many local organisations, including Bristol City Supporters Trust, Bristol Family Mediation, Home-Start Bristol, Lifeskills Project, Re-work, Show of Strength Theatre Company and Terence Higgins Trust.

Away from her parliamentary responsibilities, Dawn enjoys gardening, cooking, cinema and opera.

Contact: Dawn Primarolo MP, PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH; primarolod@parliament.uk; 0117 909 0063; 0117 909 0064.

Bedminster

Mark Bradshaw and Colin Smith are working hard for Bedminster, Ashton and Ashton Vale. Mark has been the local councillor since 2006, during which time he has focused his attention in particular on local transport and quality of life issues. He is now also Executive Member for Access and Environment, including planning, transport and traffic, sustainable development and sub-regional and citywide waste strategy. Colin was born just off East Street and has lived in South Bristol virtually all his life. Elected for Bedminster in May 2007, as a former councillor he has substantial experience dealing with casework and local issues, and is especially interested in planning.

Filwood

Chris Jackson and Jeff Lovell are working hard for Filwood, Inns Court, Knowle West, Lower Knowle and the Novers. Chris was elected in 2006, spectacularly unseating the Lib Dem councillor for the area. Jeff, elected in May 2007 with a 1000+ vote majority, is well known in the area from his time at Ilminster Avenue and Connaught Schools; from when he lived at Willinton Road, Morpeth Road and Leinster Avenue; and his membership of Eagle House. With decades of commitment to keeping the area safe from fires, these former firefighters are now dedicated to keeping the neighbourhood safe from Lib Dem cuts and incompetence.

Hartcliffe

Mark Brain and Royston Griffey are working hard for Hartcliffe, Withywood, Headley Park and parts of Bishopsworth. Royston is a Bristolian born and bred, and a retired lawyer. After being employed in the public sector all his working life, he was elected in 2002 for Hartcliffe ward and re-elected in 2006. He fully supports the regeneration of the area and is active in many of the local organisations in South Bristol. He is a governor of Withywood Community School (soon to be Bristol's second academy) and is Bristol's Lord Mayor. Mark is a local lad as well, also works in the public sector, and was first elected in 2003. He is a governor at both Fair Furlong and Gay Elms Primary Schools, and a Director of both Hartcliffe & Withywood Community Partnership and HAWKS. Both Mark and Royston are involved with Headley Park Community Association and are active as members of other local organisations. They have secured many local improvements and, together, they make a great team.

Southville

Sean Beynon is working hard in Southville, Bedminster and Ashton. Elected in May 2007 aged just 23, Sean is one of Bristol's youngest councillors. Having been brought up in Bedminster, and educated at Ashton Park School before going to university, he lives locally. He is, amongst other things, leading Labour's campaign for safer streets, is trying to reintroduce a bus service along Coronation Road and is working with Friends of Greville Smyth Park to secure a park keeper.

Whitchurch Park

Helen Holland is working hard for Hartcliffe and Whitchurch. She is a 54 year old mother of two, was first elected as local councillor in 1991, and has also been the Leader of the Labour Group on Bristol City Council since 2005. She was elected Leader of the City Council in 2007. As a governor of Hartcliffe School and Hartcliffe Children's Centre, she has been directly involved in deciding how Labour's multi-million pound investment in local schools should be spent, and has fought long and hard for the recently completed redevelopment of Symes Avenue. Helen is spearheading Labour's campaign against the Lib Dem plan to build a ring road through Whitchurch Park, and has worked closely with local MP Dawn Primarolo to secure the South Bristol Hospital, together with swimming and leisure facilities, on Hengrove Park. Over the years, Helen has helped hundreds of residents with individual casework, many of whom have contacted her through the advice surgeries she holds every fortnight at Hartcliffe Library. She was re-elected in May 2007, achieving a 10% swing against the Liberal Democrats.