The subject of this article is
standing for re-election to the
House of Commons of the United Kingdom on 4 July, and has not been an incumbent MP since
Parliament was dissolved on 30 May. Some parts of this article may be out of date during this period. |
Kim Johnson | |
---|---|
Member of Parliament for Liverpool Riverside | |
In office 12 December 2019 – 30 May 2024 | |
Preceded by | Louise Ellman |
Majority | 37,043 (70.2%) |
Personal details | |
Born | Kim Marie Johnson 25 August 1966 |
Political party | Labour |
Other political affiliations |
Socialist Campaign Group (2019–present) |
Kim Marie Johnson [1] (born 25 August 1966) is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Liverpool Riverside since 2019. [2] [3] [4]
Kim Johnson was born on 25 August 1966, the daughter of Joseph Johnson and Kathleen Johnson. She has a Diploma in Youth and Community Work, a BA in Social Studies, and a Postgraduate Certificate. [5]
Since 2015, Johnson has been the Chairperson of Squash Liverpool, a community interest company. In 2020, she became a patron of Mandela8. [5]
Prior to becoming an MP, Johnson was a Unison shop steward. She held a role of creative diversity manager in the Capital of Culture bid team, representing the longest established black community in the country. [6]
On 4 November 2019, Johnson was selected as the Labour candidate for Liverpool Riverside by a panel made up of national, regional and local party representatives. [7] At the 2019 general election, Johnson was elected to Parliament with 78.0% of the vote and a majority of 37,043. [8] [9]
Johnson sits on the Women and Equalities Committee, Education Committee and Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art. [10]
On 15 October 2020, Johnson resigned as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Angela Rayner to vote against the proposed Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill, disagreeing with the Labour whip to abstain. [11]
On 10 May 2021, Johnson publicly described the shadow cabinet reshuffle, and specifically Keir Starmer's treatment of Angela Rayner, as a "despicable act of cowardice". [12] She again criticised the leadership after Starmer wrote an article for The Sun, a newspaper many in her Liverpool constituency had been boycotting after its coverage of the Hillsborough disaster. [13]
In February 2022, Johnson was re-selected as the Labour candidate for Liverpool Riverside at the 2024 general election. [14]
In June 2022, Johnson accused Merseyside Police of being "institutionally racist" after officers carried out an armed stop and search of two black men in Liverpool. [15]
In February 2023, while asking a question at Prime Minister's Questions, Johnson described the Israeli government as “ fascist”. A spokesperson for the Labour Party described Johnson's comments as "completely unacceptable". Later the same day, Johnson raised a point of order in the House of Commons and apologised “unreservedly” for her language. [16]
Johnson has a son and daughter. [5]
Kim Johnson last year became Liverpool's first Black lawmaker.
I am immensely proud to have been elected as the first black MP for Liverpool.