Harriet Harman

Harriet Harman is a British Labour Party (UK) politician who has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Peckham (UK Parliament constituency) since 1982. She has held various positions, including Deputy Leader of the Labour Party (UK), Shadow Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights. Harman has been associated with several notable politicians, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and Jeremy Corbyn. She has also been involved with organizations such as the Fabian Society, Amnesty International, and the Fawcett Society.

● Early Life and Education

Harriet Harman was born in London, England to a family of Liberal Party (UK) supporters. Her father, John Harman, was a barrister and her mother, Anna Harman, was a solicitor. Harman was educated at St Paul's Girls' School and later attended the University of York, where she studied politics and economics. She then went on to study at the University of London, graduating with a degree in law. During her time at university, Harman was involved with the National Council for Civil Liberties and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. She was also influenced by the work of Simone de Beauvoir and Betty Friedan.

● Career

Before entering politics, Harman worked as a solicitor and a barrister, specializing in employment law and human rights law. She was a member of the Law Society and the Bar Council. Harman was also involved with the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Commission for Racial Equality. In the 1970s and 1980s, she worked with organizations such as the National Council for One Parent Families and the Women's Aid Federation. Harman's work was influenced by the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Equal Pay Act 1970.

● Parliamentary Career

Harman was first elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Peckham (UK Parliament constituency) in 1982. She has since been re-elected several times, including in the 2010 United Kingdom general election and the 2015 United Kingdom general election. During her time in Parliament, Harman has held various positions, including Minister for Women and Equality and Leader of the House of Commons. She has also been a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee and the Justice Select Committee. Harman has worked with politicians such as Margaret Beckett, Peter Mandelson, and Ed Miliband.

● Personal Life

Harman is married to Jack Dromey, a trade unionist and Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham Erdington (UK Parliament constituency). The couple has two children, Joseph Dromey and Amy Dromey. Harman is a member of the GMB trade union and has been involved with the Co-operative Party. She has also been associated with the London School of Economics and the University of Oxford. Harman's work has been influenced by the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the European Convention on Human Rights.

● Controversies and Criticisms

Harman has been involved in several controversies throughout her career, including the MPs' expenses scandal and the Cash for Influence affair. She has also faced criticism for her handling of the Baby P case and the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal. Harman has been accused of being out of touch with the Labour Party (UK)'s grassroots supporters and has faced challenges from within the party, including from Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell. Despite these controversies, Harman remains a prominent figure in British politics, known for her work on human rights and women's rights. She has been recognized by organizations such as the Stonewall (charity), the Terrence Higgins Trust, and the Refuge (charity).