About Hilary Benn

Hilary Benn represents the people who live in Leeds South, at the UK Parliament in Westminster.

MPs split their time between Parliament and their constituency. In Parliament, they debate and vote on new laws, review existing laws, and question the Government. In the constituency, their focus is on supporting local people and championing local issues. They have a small staff team who help with casework, maintain their diaries, and monitor their inbox.

What you can do

• Find out more about this MP, including:
  • Committees and groups they are part of.
  • Voting record summary or a list of recent votes.
  • Declared financial interests.
  • Recent speeches and questions
  • Signatures (open letters and EDMs)
• Write to your MP, or find out about your other local representatives on WriteToThem.com.
• Find out more about Leeds South on the Local Intelligence Hub.

Profile

Labour MP for Leeds South

Entered the House of Commons on 10 June 1999 — Byelection

Also represented Leeds Central

• Personal website
• Wikipedia page
• BBC News profile

Social Media

• @hilarybennmp
• Facebook
• UK Parliament Profile

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Currently held offices

• The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (since 5 Jul 2024)

Other offices held in the past

• Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland ( 4 Sep 2023 to 30 May 2024)
• Shadow Foreign Secretary ( 8 May 2015 to 26 Jun 2016)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government ( 7 Oct 2011 to 8 May 2015)
• Shadow Leader of the House of Commons ( 8 Oct 2010 to 7 Oct 2011)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (12 May 2010 to 8 Oct 2010)
• The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (28 Jun 2007 to 6 May 2010)
• The Secretary of State for International Development ( 6 Oct 2003 to 28 Jun 2007)
• The Minister of State, Department for International Development (13 May 2003 to 6 Oct 2003)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office) (Minister for Prisons and Probation) (29 May 2002 to 13 May 2003)
• The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (11 Jun 2001 to 28 May 2002)

Previous MPs in this constituency

• Merlyn Rees
• Hugh Gaitskell
• Henry Charleton
• Borras Whiteside
• Henry Charleton
• William Middlebrook
• John Walton
• Lyon Playfair

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Criminal Justice Bill Committee (29 out of 32)
• International Development Bill Committee (4 out of 4)
• Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill Committee (5 out of 7)