Rt Hon John Denham, MP for Southampton Itchen

John Denham was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Southampton Itchen in April 1992.   He was appointed to Gordon Brown’s first Cabinet as Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills in 2007.

Following the election of Tony Blair's new Labour Government in 1997, John served as a Government Minister in the Departments of Social Security, Health and the Home Office.  In June 2000 he was appointed by the Queen as a Privy Counsellor. During a period on the backbenches, he chaired the powerful Home Affairs Select Committee.

Prior to being elected as an MP, John served Southampton as a local Councillor. He was a Hampshire County Councillor from 1981 until 1989, where he was spokesman on Education. From 1989 until 1993 he served as a Southampton City Councillor and was Chair of the City's Housing Committee.

John was born in 1953 and educated at Woodroffe Comprehensive School, Lyme Regis and Southampton University, where he became president of the Students Union.

He was Head of Youth Affairs at the British Youth Council from 1979 until 1983, and was responsible for public education and advocacy for War on Want from 1984 to 1988. He subsequently worked for Christian Aid, Oxfam and other development agencies.

John has three children and enjoys cookery, walking and music. He is a season ticket holder at Southampton Football Club.

John Denham is a member of AMICUS (MSF).