Jessica Morden

British Labour politician

Jessica Morden

Official portrait, 2018

Member of Parliament
for Newport East

Incumbent

Assumed office
5 May 2005
Preceded by| Alan Howarth
Majority| 1,992 (5.5%)

Shadow portfolios

2023–present| Wales
2023–present| PPS to the Opposition Leader
2021–2023| Deputy Commons Leader
2020–2023| Household Vice-Chamberlain
2015–2020| Whip

General Secretary of Welsh Labour
In office
1999–2005
Leader| Alun Michael
Rhodri Morgan
Preceded by| Anita Gale
Succeeded by| Chris Roberts
Personal details
Born|  (1968-05-29) 29 May 1968 (age 55)
Surrey, England
Political party| Labour
Alma mater| University of Birmingham (BA)
Website| jessicamorden.com

Jessica Elizabeth Morden (born 29 May 1968) is a British politician serving as Member of Parliament (MP) for Newport East since 2005. A member of the Labour Party, she was General Secretary of Welsh Labour from 1999 until her election to Parliament.

## Early life and career[edit]

Morden was born in Surrey, England and brought up in Cwmbran and educated at Croesyceiliog School before reading Medieval and Modern History (BA) at University of Birmingham.

In 1991, Morden worked for Huw Edwards, MP for Monmouth and between 1992 and 1995 she worked for Llew Smith, MP for Blaenau Gwent. Before becoming an MP, Morden was General Secretary of the Welsh Labour from 1999 to 2005. She organised some of Labour's election campaigns for the 1997 election.[1]

## Parliamentary career[edit]

Morden was selected as the Labour Party candidate for Newport East in 2005 by the all-women shortlists method.[1] She was elected as the first female MP in South East Wales with a 6,800 majority.

Jessica served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Wales The Rt Hon Peter Hain MP until May 2010, and later as Shadow Parliamentary Private Secretary to Owen Smith MP during his time as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales.

In her first term Jessica completed the Police Parliamentary Scheme, spending a month during recess with a range of Departments and frontline Police Officers in Gwent Police. She was also appointed by the Speaker to the Members’ Advisory Committee to oversee the setting up of the first ever Nursery in the House of Commons.

Jessica served as a Senior Whip in the Opposition Whips’ office with responsibility for EU Withdrawal, Wales and Prime Minister's Questions. She was elected as chair of the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments in November 2018 and, following the dissolution of Parliament, re-elected in February 2020.

Morden claimed a total of £167,060 in expenses in 2007/08, the 30th highest amount claimed by the 643 members of the House of Commons. Within approved guidelines, Morden used some of the expenses allowance which was unspent from the previous year to provide additional office space after having a baby;[2] the previous year she claimed £133,592, the 406th highest that year.[3]

In March 2008 Jessica Morden was criticized by some of her constituents after voting against a Conservative parliamentary motion to halt the closure of hundreds of Post Offices whilst simultaneously campaigning to save the Christchurch Road branch in Newport East.[4]

She supported Owen Smith in the failed attempt to replace Jeremy Corbyn in the 2016 Labour leadership election.[5]

Jessica Morden was re-elected at the 2017 general election with a much increased majority of 8,003. She was again re-elected in 2019 general election with a reduced majority of 1,992.

In February 2023, she was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer. In the September 2023 British shadow cabinet reshuffle, she was appointed Shadow Minister for Wales.[6]

## Charity work[edit]

Morden is one of nine presidents of The Young People's Trust for the Environment.[7]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "Thrilled to win right to fight for city seat". South Wales Argus. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
2. ^ Chalk, Ailsa (31 March 2009). "Gwent MPs claim £896,337 in the last year". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
3. ^ "Jessica Morden". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
4. ^ "MP defends Post Office vote". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
5. ^ "Full list of MPs and MEPs backing challenger Owen Smith". LabourList. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
6. ^ Belger, Tom (5 September 2023). "Labour reshuffle: Starmer unveils six new shadow ministers of state". LabourList. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
7. ^ "Our Team | Presidents, Trustees and Staff". Young People's Trust For the Environment.

## External links[edit]

* Jessica Morden MP official constituency website
* Jessica Morden MP Labour Party profile
*   * Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
* Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
* Voting record at Public Whip
* Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou

Parliament of the United Kingdom

Preceded by

Alan Howarth

|  Member of Parliament for Newport East
2005–present  | Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by

Anita Gale

|  General Secretary of Welsh Labour
1999–2005  | Succeeded by

Chris Roberts

* v
* t
* e

Current UK Parliamentary committee chairs

Commons|

| Departmental|

* Byrne
* Dinenage
* Vacant
* R. Walker
* MacNeil
* Goodwill
* Kearns
* Brine
* Johnson
* Champion
* Neill
* Betts
* Buckland
* Clark
* Wishart
* Stewart
* Baldwin
* Crabb
* Timms

|

Topical|

* Garnier
* Dunne
* Cash
* C Smith
* Hillier
* Wragg
* McPartland
* Morden
* Nokes

General|

No chairs

Internal|

* C. Walker
* Hodgson
* Mearns
* Jenkin
* Afriyie
* Bradley
* Wiggin
* Bryant
* Williams

Statutory|

* Hoyle
* Leigh

Lords|

| Topical|

* Gilbert of Panteg
* Taylor of Bolton
* Blencathra
* Forsyth of Drumlean
* Kinnoull
* Anelay of St Johns
* Hodgson of Astley Abbotts
* Patel

|

Private|

* McFall of Alcluith

Internal|

* Fowler
* McFall of Alcluith
* Touhig

Joint|

| Select|

* Thomas of Cwmgiedd
* Cherry
* Beckett
* Morden

|

Statutory|

* Butler-Sloss
* Lewis

* v
* t
* e

Labour Party MPs in Wales

* Tonia Antoniazzi
* Kevin Brennan
* Chris Bryant
* Wayne David
* Alex Davies-Jones
* Stephen Doughty
* Chris Elmore
* Chris Evans
* Nia Griffith
* Carolyn Harris
* Gerald Jones
* Ruth Jones
* Stephen Kinnock
* Anna McMorrin
* Jessica Morden
* Christina Rees
* Nick Smith
* Jo Stevens
* Mark Tami
* Nick Thomas-Symonds
* Beth Winter

* v
* t
* e

City of Newport

Topics|

* Bridges
* Buildings and structures
* Churches
* Companies
* Culture
* Districts
* Electoral Wards
* High Sheriffs
* History
* Landmarks
* Listed buildings
* Grade I
* Grade II*
* Lord Lieutenants
* Museums
* Music venues
* Newport city centre
* Newport built-up area
* Organisations
* Parks
* People
* Politics
* Registered parks and gardens
* Schools
* Scheduled monuments
* Shopping
* Theatre
* Transport
* Tourist attractions

Districts
of Newport|

| Communities|

* Allt-yr-yn
* Alway
* Beechwood
* Bettws
* Bishton
* Caerleon
* Coedkernew
* Gaer
* Goldcliff
* Graig
* Langstone
* Llanvaches
* Llanwern
* Lliswerry
* Malpas
* Marshfield
* Michaelston-y-Fedw
* Nash
* Penhow
* Pillgwenlly
* Redwick
* Ringland
* Rogerstone
* St. Julian's
* Shaftesbury
* Stow Hill
* Tredegar Park
* Victoria
* Wentlooge

|

Other districts|

* Baneswell
* Barnardtown
* Bassaleg
* Bishpool
* Brynglas
* Bulmore
* Castleton
* Cat's Ash
* Christchurch
* Crindau
* Duffryn
* Glan Llyn
* High Cross
* Llanmartin
* Lower Machen
* Maesglas
* Maindee
* Mendalgief
* Parc-Seymour
* Peterstone
* Rhiwderin
* Ridgeway
* Riverside
* Somerton
* St. Brides
* Underwood
* Uskmouth
* Wentwood Forest
* Whitson
* Wilcrick

Buildings
and
structures|

* Beechwood House
* Brynglas House
* Chartist Mural
* Coleg Gwent
* Friars Walk
* Inmos microprocessor factory
* International Convention Centre Wales
* Isca Augusta
* Kingsway Shopping Centre
* Lysaght Institute
* Mansion House
* Market Arcade
* National Roman Legion Museum
* Newport Castle
* Newport Cathedral
* Newport Civic Centre
* Newport Market
* Newport Museum Art Gallery and Central Library
* Neon
* Newport Centre
* Newport Technical Institute
* Newport Transporter Bridge
* Pencoed Castle
* Riverfront Arts Centre
* Roman Baths Museum
* Shire Hall
* South East Wales Regional Swimming Pool
* St. Mark's Church
* St. Paul's Church
* Tredegar House
* University of South Wales
* West Usk Lighthouse
* Westgate Hotel
* Ye Olde Murenger House

Sport|

| Events|

* Newport Marathon
* Newport Half Marathon
* Tour de Gwent
* 2010 Ryder Cup

|

Institutions|

* Dragon Park, Wales National Football Development Centre
* Newport International Sports Village
* Newport Stadium
* Newport Tennis Centre
* Rodney Parade
* South East Wales Regional Swimming Pool
* Geraint Thomas National Velodrome

Culture|

* Music of Newport
* Music venues
* Newport City Radio

* Geography
* Wales

* v
* t
* e

Politics of Newport

MPs in the UK Parliament (2)|

| Newport East|

* Jessica Morden (Labour)

|

Newport West|

* Ruth Jones (Labour)

MSs in the Senedd (2)|

| Newport East|

* John Griffiths (Labour)

|

Newport West|

* Jayne Bryant (Labour)

South Wales East|

* Welsh Labour (7)
* Welsh Conservatives (3)
* Plaid Cymru (2)

Newport City Council (51)|

| Institutions|

* Mayor of Newport
* Coat of arms of Newport
* Newport Rising

|

Councillors|

* Welsh Labour (35)
* Welsh Conservatives (7)
* Independent (4)
* Newport Independents (3)
* Wales Green Party (1)
* Welsh Liberal Democrats (1)

Elections|

* 2004
* 2008
* 2012
* 2017
* 2022

Newport County Borough Council|

|  Elections |

* 1972

|

Council wards|

* Allt-yr-yn
* Alway
* Beechwood
* Bettws
* Bishton and Langstone
* Caerleon
* Gaer
* Graig
* Llanwern
* Lliswerry
* Malpas
* Pillgwenlly
* Ringland
* Rogerstone East
* Rogerstone North
* Rogerstone West
* Shaftesbury
* St Julian's
* Stow Hill
* Tredegar Park and Marshfield
* Victoria
* List of electoral wards

Communities|

* Allt-yr-yn
* Alway
* Beechwood
* Bettws
* Bishton
* Caerleon
* Coedkernew
* Gaer
* Goldcliff
* Graig
* Langstone
* Llanvaches
* Llanwern
* Lliswerry
* Malpas
* Marshfield
* Michaelston-y-Fedw
* Nash
* Penhow
* Pillgwenlly
* Redwick
* Ringland
* Rogerstone
* Shaftesbury
* St Julians
* Stow Hill
* Tredegar Park
* Victoria
* Wentlooge

* Politics portal
* Wales portal

Authority control databases: People |

* UK Parliament

|

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template