Dawn Primarolo, Baroness Primarolo, {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|DBE|PC}} (born 2 May 1954) is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Bristol South from 1987 until 2015, when she stood down. She was Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families at the Department for Children, Schools and Families from June 2009 to May 2010 and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons from 2010 to 2015. She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for political service.{{London Gazette |issue=60895 |date=14 June 2014 |page=b8 |supp=y}}{{cite news|title=Queen's Birthday Honours for Bristol people|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-27840291|publisher=BBC News|date=14 June 2014|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129002539/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-27840291|archive-date=29 November 2018|url-status=live}} She was nominated for a life peerage in the 2015 Dissolution Honours.{{cite web|title=Dissolution Peerages 2015|url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dissolution-peerages-2015|website=Gov.uk|access-date=27 August 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190327101222/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dissolution-peerages-2015|archive-date=27 March 2019|url-status=live}}

Early life and career

Born in London, Primarolo was raised in Crawley, West Sussex, where she attended Thomas Bennett comprehensive school.{{cite web |last1=Wilce |first1=Hilary |title= An interview with Education Minister Dawn Primarolo |url= http://www.hilarywilce.com/feature_articles_view.php?cid=385 |work= Early Years Magazine |publisher= hilarywilce.com |date= December 1, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170209134407/http://www.hilarywilce.com/feature_articles_view.php?cid=385 |archive-date= February 9, 2017 |url-status=dead }} She then studied at Bristol Polytechnic as a bookkeeper and legal secretary. Returning to London, in 1973 she joined the Labour Party whilst employed as a legal secretary in an east London Law Centre.{{cite web |title=Tax Collector |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/tax-collector/ |publisher=Politico |access-date=26 August 2018 |date=21 July 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826183048/https://www.politico.eu/article/tax-collector/ |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=live }}

After marrying, she moved back to Bristol to raise her son.{{cite web |title=Rt Hon Dame Dawn Primarolo |url=http://www.assembly.wales/en/memhome/Pages/MemberProfile.aspx?mid=4190 |publisher=National Assembly for Wales |access-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214457/http://www.assembly.wales/en/memhome/Pages/MemberProfile.aspx?mid=4190 |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=live }} She then studied for a social science degree at Bristol Polytechnic, where she gained a BA (Hons). Whilst working, she then continued her studies at the University of Bristol, where she registered for a PhD research into women and housing. She did not finish the PhD, but was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university in 2016.{{cite web|access-date=2018-02-15|title=The Rt Hon. The Baroness Primarolo, DBE, PC|url=https://www.bristol.ac.uk/graduation/honorary-degrees/2016.html/primarolo/|publisher=University of Bristol|date=21 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326091140/http://www.bristol.ac.uk/graduation/honorary-degrees/2016.html/primarolo/|archive-date=26 March 2019|url-status=live}}

Becoming involved in her local community, Primarolo belonged to various women's groups and was active in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, a founder member of Windmill Hill City Farm, and a school governor.{{cite web |title=Dawn Primarolo MP |url=https://labourclp37.nationbuilder.com/your-bristol-south-labour-team |publisher=Bristol South Labour Party |access-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214356/https://labourclp37.nationbuilder.com/your-bristol-south-labour-team |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}

Active in her local Labour Party, in 1985 she was elected to Avon County Council,{{cite news |title=Children first |url=https://www.theguardian.com/children-first/commissioning-questions |access-date=26 August 2018 |work=The Guardian|date=30 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214431/https://www.theguardian.com/children-first/commissioning-questions |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=live }} where she acted as vice chair of the Equal Opportunities Committee.

Parliamentary career

Primarolo was first elected to Parliament at the 1987 general election,{{cite web |title=The Rt Hon. The Baroness Primarolo, DBE, PC |url=http://www.bristol.ac.uk/graduation/honorary-degrees/2016.html/primarolo/ |publisher=University of Bristol |access-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214514/http://www.bristol.ac.uk/graduation/honorary-degrees/2016.html/primarolo/ |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=live }} after the constituency party de-selected Michael Cocks, the sitting MP.{{cite news |last1=Roth |first1=Andrew |title=Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/mar/27/guardianobituaries |work=The Guardian|date=27 March 2001 |access-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326091136/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/mar/27/guardianobituaries |archive-date=26 March 2019 |url-status=live }} She gained national attention in January 1989 by asking Margaret Thatcher at Prime Minister's Question Time if the only hope for low-paid women was "to follow her example and find themselves a wealthy husband". She was reading out a question on behalf of Ann Clwyd, who at the time had "lost her voice".{{cite news |last1=Parrish |first1=Duncan |title=Instant Expert Kit – Dawn Primarolo |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/instant-expert-kit-dawn-primarolo |access-date=26 August 2018 |work=New Statesman |date=8 January 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214530/https://www.newstatesman.com/instant-expert-kit-dawn-primarolo |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=live }} Thatcher dismissed the question as 'cheap'.{{Cite web |title=Engagement |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1989-01-19a.481.3&s=dawn+primarolo+wealthy+husband |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=TheyWorkForYou |language=en}} She served as opposition spokesperson for health from 1992 to 1994 and the Treasury from 1994 to 1997.

At the time she was first elected, Primarolo was considered to be on the hard left, but later became a New Labour loyalist,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2055944.stm |title=Dawn Primarolo |publisher=BBC News |date=21 October 2002 |access-date=14 January 2011 |first=Labour |last=Mp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622081444/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2055944.stm |archive-date=22 June 2006 |url-status=live }} leading Andrew Roth of The Guardian to say she has "changed from 'Red Dawn' to 'Rosy Pink'";{{cite news |url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/person/0,,-4266,00.html |title=Dawn Primarolo: Electoral history and profile |work=The Guardian|access-date=14 January 2011 |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301203342/http://politics.guardian.co.uk/person/0%2C%2C-4266%2C00.html |archive-date=1 March 2009 }} As part of this change, she shifted from support for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), the rise of which originally led her into politics, to voting for the renewal of Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent.{{cite news|author=Paul Barltrop |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/6424499.stm |title=Pursuit of a politician |publisher=BBC News |date=9 March 2007 |access-date=14 January 2011}}

Despite campaigning against the first Gulf War in 1991, she voted in favour of the Iraq War in 2003, and against any investigation into the invasion after it had taken place.{{cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/dawn_primarolo/bristol_south |title=Dawn Primarolo MP, Bristol South |publisher=TheyWorkForYou.com |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311145655/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/dawn_primarolo/bristol_south |archive-date=11 March 2011 |url-status=live }} On other 'key issues' (as described by TheyWorkForYou), she has voted in favour of ID cards and increased university tuition fees.

Primarolo served as Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 1997 to 1999 and as Paymaster General from 1999 to 2007. As Paymaster General, Primarolo was responsible for the administration of the working tax credit system, which was a system that contributed to raising millions of children out of poverty. However, the administration of this system received some criticism, including allegations that some families were left less well off as a result.[http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/pressoffice/press_index/press-050622.htm Citizens Advice] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407044356/http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/pressoffice/press_index/press-050622.htm |date=7 April 2007 }} In 2003, a Treasury select committee member accused her of "losing control of [her] department"{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3036006.stm |title=Tax credit minister 'lost control' |publisher=BBC News |date=1 July 2003 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040727082501/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3036006.stm |archive-date=27 July 2004 |url-status=live }} after it became known that Inland Revenue buildings under Primarolo's purview had been sold to tax-haven companies. This came shortly after she had "insisted ... the Child tax credit scheme was a 'success'", despite Inland Revenue staff walking out in protest against the pressure under which they were placed.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/2966030.stm |title=Tax credits scandal |publisher=BBC News |date=5 June 2003 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220101942/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/2966030.stm |archive-date=20 February 2009 |url-status=live }} She was also responsible for introducing the controversial IR35 tax rules which were designed to tax "disguised employment" at a rate similar to employment. The measure was controversial as it was seen by some as unfair.{{cite web|title=Fury at Primarolo IR35 stand|url=http://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Fury-at-Primarolo-IR35-stand|publisher=Computer Weekly|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095902/http://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Fury-at-Primarolo-IR35-stand|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=IR35 'confusion': Primarolo responds to Times|url=http://www.contractoruk.com/news/00316.html|publisher=Contractor UK|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611062130/http://www.contractoruk.com/news/00316.html|archive-date=11 June 2016|url-status=live}} Primarolo was also the longest serving Paymaster General in the office's 200-year history.{{cite book|last1=Ross|first1=Philip|title=Freedom to Freelance...The fight against IR35|isbn=9781471735752|page=331|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GgDcAwAAQBAJ&q=Dawn+Primarolo+longest+paymaster+general&pg=PA331|year=2012|publisher=Lulu.com }} Primarolo was named Chairman of the Code of Conduct Group upon its establishment by ECOFIN in March 1998.{{Cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/company_tax/harmful_tax_practices/index_en.htm |title=ec.europa.eu: Taxation and Customs Union – Harmful tax competition – Code of Conduct |access-date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628094848/http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/company_tax/harmful_tax_practices/index_en.htm |archive-date=28 June 2016 |url-status=live }}

In 2005, PM Tony Blair was forced to apologise after a report by the Parliamentary Ombudsman that Primarolo had failed to give Parliament accurate information. Primarolo admitted at the same time that she had been fully aware "about the extent of the problems".{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4112480.stm |title=Blair apologises for tax blunders |publisher=BBC News |date=22 June 2005 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915042408/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4112480.stm |archive-date=15 September 2007 |url-status=live }}

As Minister of State for Public Health from 2007 to 2009, Primarolo was responsible for health improvement and health protection issues including such areas as tobacco, obesity, drugs and sexual health, as well as international business, pharmacy and research and development.{{cite web|url=http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/MinistersandDepartmentLeaders/Ministers/Ministersbiography/DH_076673 |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090430170948/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/MinistersandDepartmentLeaders/Ministers/Ministersbiography/DH_076673 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 April 2009 |title=The Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo MP |publisher=Department of Health |date=30 April 2009|access-date=12 May 2012}}

On 5 June 2009 Primarolo was moved, this time succeeding Beverley Hughes as Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families at the Department for Children, Schools and Families. This gave her the right to attend cabinet when her responsibilities were on the agenda.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8086131.stm|title=In full: Brown's new cabinet|publisher=BBC News|date=5 June 2009|access-date=12 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608135232/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8086131.stm|archive-date=8 June 2009|url-status=live}}

Primarolo's abilities as a minister have been questioned, with former Prime Minister Tony Blair revealing in his autobiography A Journey that he did not think she was "right for government" but had to give her a job because she was one of Gordon Brown's key allies;{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Blair-Cherie-shouldn-t-bought-city-flats/article-2597751-detail/article.html |title=Tony Blair: Cherie shouldn't have bought flats in Bristol |publisher=Northcliffe Media Limited |work=This is Bristol |date=2 September 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008003706/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Blair-Cherie-shouldn-t-bought-city-flats/article-2597751-detail/article.html |archive-date=8 October 2010 }} and political commentator Danny Finkelstein arguing that she was "contender no. 1" for title of "Labour's worst Minister".{{cite web|last=Finkelstein |first=Daniel |url=http://timesonline.typepad.com/comment/2010/06/heres-a-candidate--the-search-for-labours-worst-minister-might-lead-one-to-look-only-among-those-forced-out-of-office-or-dro.html |title=Labour's worst minister: contender no. 1 |work=The Times |date=16 June 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821070328/http://timesonline.typepad.com/comment/2010/06/heres-a-candidate--the-search-for-labours-worst-minister-might-lead-one-to-look-only-among-those-forced-out-of-office-or-dro.html |archive-date=21 August 2010 }} Jonathan Powell, Blair's Chief of Staff, is reported as saying "We fired Dawn Primarolo about ten times. And each time Gordon (Brown) insisted we put her back."{{cite book |title=The End of the Party |page=322 |isbn=978-0-670-91851-5 |first=Andrew |last=Rawnsley |year=2010|publisher=Viking }}

=Deputy Speaker=

Primarolo joined the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Children when Labour entered opposition in May 2010.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8695850.stm|title=Lords Mandelson and Adonis leave shadow cabinet |publisher=BBC News |date=21 May 2010|access-date=12 May 2012}} In June 2010 she became a Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. In November 2011 she announced her intention to stand down from Parliament at the next general election.{{cite news|work=This is Bristol|date=11 November 2011|title=Bristol South MP Dawn Primarolo to stand down in 2015|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bristol-South-MP-Dawn-Primarolo-stand-2015/story-13818490-detail/story.html|access-date=11 November 2011|publisher=Northcliffe Media Limited|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112163406/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bristol-South-MP-Dawn-Primarolo-stand-2015/story-13818490-detail/story.html|archive-date=12 November 2011}}

Primarolo was created a life peer taking the title Baroness Primarolo, of Windmill Hill in the City of Bristol on 26 October 2015.{{London Gazette |issue=61395 |date=30 October 2015 |page=21334}}

= 2022 Infected Blood Inquiry =

In July 2022 Primarolo provided written evidence to the Infected Blood Inquiry.{{cite web | url=https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/evidence/written-statement-baroness-dawn-primarolo | title=Written Statement of Baroness Dawn Primarolo | Infected Blood Inquiry }} In September 2022 she provided spoken evidence.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HIgLYEdvxs | title=23/09/2022 – Baroness Dawn Primarolo (1/3) | website=YouTube | date=26 September 2022 }}

Personal life

Primarolo married UNISON regional secretary Ian Ducat in Bristol in 1990.{{cite web |url=http://www.findmypast.com |title=Marriages England and Wales 1984–2005 |publisher=Findmypast.com |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910063526/https://www.findmypast.com/ |archive-date=10 September 2019 |url-status=live }}

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20180902072426/http://www.bristolsouthlabourparty.org.uk/ Bristol South Labour Party]
{{UK MP links | parliament = dawn-primarolo/217 | hansard = ms-dawn-primarolo | hansardcurr = 243 | guardian = 4266/dawn-primarolo | publicwhip = Dawn_Primarolo | theywork = dawn_primarolo | record = Dawn-Primarolo/Bristol-South/428 | bbc = 25333.stm | journalisted = }}
[http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/MinistersandDepartmentLeaders/Ministers/Ministersbiography/DH_076673 The Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo MP] {{Webarchive|url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090430170948/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/MinistersandDepartmentLeaders/Ministers/Ministersbiography/DH_076673 |date=30 April 2009 }} Department of Health (archived)

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament for Bristol South|years=1987–2015}}

{{s-ttl|title=Second Deputy Chair of Ways and Means|years=2010–2015}}

{{s-ttl|title=Financial Secretary to the Treasury|years=1997–1999}}