Kim Johnson (politician)

Kim Johnson (politician). Kim Johnson is a British Labour Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Liverpool Riverside since winning the seat in a 2020 by-election. She succeeded Louise Ellman and became the first Black MP to be elected from Liverpool. Her political work focuses on issues of social justice, poverty, and racial equality.

Early life and education

Born and raised in Liverpool, Kim Johnson grew up in the Toxteth area of the city. She attended local schools before pursuing further education as a mature student. Johnson later graduated from Edge Hill University with a degree in Social Work. Prior to her political career, she worked extensively in the public and voluntary sectors, including roles within Liverpool City Council and various community organizations focused on youth engagement and social care.

Political career

Johnson was selected as the Labour Party candidate for the Liverpool Riverside constituency following the resignation of Louise Ellman. She won the 2020 Liverpool Riverside by-election held on 25 June 2020, securing a substantial majority. Upon her election to the House of Commons, she became the first Black parliamentarian to represent a Liverpool constituency. In Parliament, she has served on several committees, including the Petitions Committee and the Women and Equalities Committee. Johnson has been an active backbencher, using her maiden speech to highlight issues of structural racism and economic inequality in her city and across the United Kingdom.

Electoral history

Johnson contested the Liverpool Riverside seat in the 2020 Liverpool Riverside by-election, triggered by the resignation of incumbent MP Louise Ellman. She won the election with 15,268 votes, representing a majority of over 10,000. She subsequently defended the seat in the 2019 general election, which was held later that year due to parliamentary timing, increasing her majority. She was re-elected again in the 2024 United Kingdom general election.

Political positions

Johnson is identified with the Labour Party's socialist left. She is a vocal advocate for public ownership, particularly of rail and water utilities. She has campaigned vigorously against austerity policies, calling for increased investment in public services like the National Health Service and state schools. A prominent campaigner for racial justice, she has spoken frequently in Parliament on the findings of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities and the need for action on the Black Lives Matter movement's concerns. She supports Green New Deal policies to address the climate crisis and create jobs, and is a critic of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

Personal life

Kim Johnson resides in Liverpool. She has spoken publicly about her experiences growing up in the city during periods of significant social tension, such as the 1981 Toxteth riots. She maintains close ties to community projects in Merseyside and is a patron of several local charities. Johnson is also a member of the Unite trade union and the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs.