Harriet Harman has been a campaigner all her political life – for equality, human rights and social justice -- concerns that have shone throughout the work she has done as a member of the Labour front bench in opposition and in Government.

She served in the Shadow Cabinet under Neil Kinnock and John Smith as they re-shaped the Labour Party and prepared for victory in 1997. Neil Kinnock describes her as a “pioneer” in insisting that policies for women and families are key to achieving the Labour Party’s aims of equality and opportunity.

As Shadow Employment Secretary, working with trade unionists, she formulated the legal framework for the Low Pay Commission and the National Minimum Wage, which became law in 1998.

As Secretary of State for Social Security she introduced the minimum income guarantee and £200 Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners. As Cabinet Minister for Women she established the National Childcare Strategy.

As Solicitor General from 2001 she led the drive to make tackling domestic violence a Government priority with the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act. In her current post as Minister for Constitutional Affairs, Harriet has worked to tackle the democratic deficit in BAME communities.