Hilary James Wedgwood Benn (born 26 November 1953) is a British politician who has served as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland since 2024. A member of the Labour Party, he has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Leeds South, formerly Leeds Central, since 1999. He previously served in various ministerial positions under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown from 2001 to 2010.

Born in Hammersmith, London, he is the second son of veteran Labour MP Tony Benn and educationalist Caroline Benn. He studied Russian and Eastern European Studies at the University of Sussex and went on to work as a policy researcher for two trade unions, ASTMS and MSF. Benn was elected as a councillor on Ealing Borough Council in 1979 and was Deputy Leader of the Council from 1986 to 1990. He was also the unsuccessful Labour parliamentary candidate for the Ealing North constituency at both the 1983 and 1987 general elections. Following the 1997 general election, Benn was appointed a special adviser to Education Secretary David Blunkett before winning a by-election in Leeds Central in 1999.

Under Tony Blair, Benn served as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development from 2001 to 2002 and for Prisons and Probation from 2002 to 2003. He returned to the Department for International Development as a Minister of State in May 2003. In October 2003, he was appointed to Blair's Cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development. In 2007, Benn was a candidate for Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, but lost to Harriet Harman, finishing in fourth place. Benn later served under Gordon Brown as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2007 to 2010.

Benn returned to opposition following the 2010 general election and became Shadow Environment Secretary in the First Shadow Cabinet of Harriet Harman. Under Ed Miliband, Benn was the Shadow Leader of the House of Commons from 2010 to 2011, and Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary from 2011 to 2015. After the 2015 general election, Benn became the interim Shadow Foreign Secretary under Harriet Harman before he was reappointed to the role under Jeremy Corbyn. He was dismissed from the position in 2016 after he expressed no confidence in Corbyn's leadership. On the backbenches, he was Chair of the Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union from 2016 to 2021.{{Efn|name=eu}} He returned to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under Keir Starmer in the 2023 British shadow cabinet reshuffle. Following Labour's victory in the 2024 general election, Benn was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in the Starmer ministry.

Early life and education

Hilary Benn was born on 26 November 1953 in Hammersmith. He is the second son of former Labour Cabinet Minister Tony Benn and American-born educationalist Caroline Benn (née DeCamp). Benn is a fourth-generation MP – his father, his paternal grandfather Lord Stansgate, and his great-grandfathers Daniel Holmes and Sir John Benn were all Members of Parliament, mostly supporting the Liberal Party.{{cite web |first=Harry |last=Cole |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/207917124/Keeping-it-in-the-Family |title=Keeping it in the Family |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223223321/http://www.scribd.com/doc/207917124/Keeping-it-in-the-Family |archive-date=23 February 2014 |url-status=dead}}

Benn was educated at Norland Place School and Westminster Under School, both prep schools in London, and then at Holland Park School, a state comprehensive secondary school.{{cite news |last1=Beckett |first1=Francis |title=Selective memories |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2007/apr/10/schools.education |access-date=6 November 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=10 April 2007}} He studied Russian and Eastern European Studies at the University of Sussex, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1974.{{cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Stephanie |title=UK General Election sees two Sussex alumni join new Labour Cabinet and a further ten alumni elected to Parliament |url=https://www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/read/65031 |website=The University of Sussex |access-date=6 November 2024 |language=en |date=14 August 2024}}

Benn has an older brother, Stephen, a younger sister Melissa and younger brother, Joshua.{{cite book |last=Benn |first=Anthony |year=1995 |title=The Benn Diaries |page=25 |editor-last=Winstone |editor-first=Ruth |publisher=Hutchinson |isbn=0-09-179223-1}} Reflecting on his upbringing, he said: "I grew up in a household where we talked about the state of the world over breakfast, when we ate at night, and all points in between".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/nov/09/labour.hilarybenn |title='I'm not a natural rebel' |last=Ashley |first=Jackie |date=9 November 2006 |work=The Guardian |access-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905151628/http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/nov/09/labour.hilarybenn |archive-date=5 September 2008 |url-status=live}}

Early political career

After graduation, Benn became a research officer with ASTMS.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S4x4CAAAQBAJ&q=hilary+benn+astms+head+of+policy&pg=PT10|title=Men Who Made Labour |isbn=9781135390471 |last1=Haworth |first1=Alan |last2=Hayter |first2=Dianne |date=22 April 2015|publisher=Routledge }} During the 1975 referendum on British membership of the European Economic Community, he served on the research team for the National Referendum Campaign, which argued for a No vote.David Butler and Uwe Kitzinger, The 1975 Referendum, (London: Macmillan, 1976, 1999 edn.), p. 102.

In 1980, he was seconded to the Labour Party to act as a joint secretary to the finance panel of the Labour Party Commission of Inquiry. In 1979, he was elected to Ealing Borough Council where he served as deputy leader from 1986 to 1990.

He was the Labour Party candidate for Ealing North at the 1983 and 1987 general elections. On both occasions he was defeated by the Conservative candidate Harry Greenway. Reflecting on the defeat at the 1983 general election, Benn said: "That was a formative experience for me because we went out on the doorstep and we didn't win the public's confidence. It made me very uncomfortable. Personally, that left a mark on me."{{cite news |last1=McCann |first1=Kate |title=Who is Hilary Benn? Labour's leader in waiting |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/12030864/Who-is-Hilary-Benn-Labours-leader-in-waiting.html |access-date=3 January 2016 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=3 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211011400/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/12030864/Who-is-Hilary-Benn-Labours-leader-in-waiting.html |archive-date=11 December 2015 |url-status=live}} At the 1983 general election, Benn won 32.8% of the vote,{{cite web |title=Election Data 1983 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1983.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054231/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1983.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}} and four years later won 27.8% of the vote.{{cite web |title=Election Data 1987 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1987.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054243/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1987.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}

Benn applied to become head of Labour Party research under the leadership of John Smith, but was unsuccessful. In 1993 he became Head of Policy for Manufacturing Science and Finance. At the 1997 general election, he was on the shortlist for the seat of Pontefract and Castleford, but eventually lost to Yvette Cooper.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/election-97-dromey-off-safe-seat-shortlist-1264876.html |title=Election '97: Dromey off safe seat shortlist |date=2 April 1997 |work=The Independent |access-date=6 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055144/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/election-97-dromey-off-safe-seat-shortlist-1264876.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live}} Following the 1997 general election, Benn served as a special adviser to David Blunkett, then the Secretary of State for Education and Employment.{{cite news |last1=Ley |first1=Shaun |title=Profile: Hilary Benn steps out of late father's shadow |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35005135 |access-date=25 June 2016 |work=BBC News |date=6 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013134415/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35005135 |archive-date=13 October 2016 |url-status=live}}

Parliamentary career

In 1999, Benn was selected as the Labour candidate for a by-election in Leeds Central following the untimely death of Foreign Office Minister Derek Fatchett at the age of 53 years old. During the by-election campaign, he described himself as "a Benn, but not a Bennite".{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/366619.stm |title=The Benn dynasty |date=11 June 1999 |work=BBC News |access-date=2 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014000622/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/366619.stm |archive-date=14 October 2007 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3023827.stm |title=Profile: Hilary Benn |date=24 June 2007 |work=BBC News |access-date=11 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229145823/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3023827.stm |archive-date=29 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}

Benn won the Leeds Central by-election on 10 June 1999 following a turnout of 19.6%, the second-smallest turnout at a by-election since the Second World War; this was beaten in the 2012 Manchester Central by-election which had a mere 18.2% turnout.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-20346068 |title=First female Manchester Labour MP |date=16 November 2012 |work=BBC News |access-date=25 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909100637/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-20346068 |archive-date=9 September 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2003/oct/06/internationalaidanddevelopment.voluntarysector |title=Profile: Hilary Benn |last1=Nicholls |first1=Martin |date=6 October 2003 |work=The Guardian |access-date=3 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064134/http://www.theguardian.com/society/2003/oct/06/internationalaidanddevelopment.voluntarysector |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live}} In response to the poor turnout, he said: "The turnout is very disappointing and in a democracy this is a concern for all of us."{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/benn-jnr-joins-father-in-the-house-1099349.html|title=Benn Jnr joins father in the House|last=Herbert|first=Ian|date=10 June 1999|work=The Independent|access-date=6 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305144605/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/benn-jnr-joins-father-in-the-house-1099349.html|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}} Benn was elected with 48.2% of the vote and a majority of 2,293 votes.

He made his maiden speech in the House of Commons on Wednesday 23 June 1999.

=Early ministerial career (2001–2003)=

Benn was re-elected at the 2001 general election with an increased vote share of 66.9% and an increased majority of 14,381. Following the election, Benn was appointed as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Development.{{cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/blair-completes-his-team-ready-for-euro-push-9131337.html|title = Blair completes his team ready for euro push|last = Grice|first = Andrew|date = 11 June 2001|work = The Independent|access-date = 6 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305021943/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/blair-completes-his-team-ready-for-euro-push-9131337.html|archive-date = 5 March 2016|url-status = live}} In the 2002 reshuffle, he become the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Prisons and Probation at the Home Office, serving as a deputy to Lord Falconer as Minister of State (Criminal Justice).{{cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/darling-takes-over-transport-hot-seat-190486.html|title = Darling takes over transport hot seat|last1 = Lyons|first1 = James|date = 28 May 2002|work = The Independent|access-date = 6 January 2016|last2 = Merrick|first2 = Jane|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161223202053/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/darling-takes-over-transport-hot-seat-190486.html|archive-date = 23 December 2016|url-status = live}} At the Home Office, he led a task force investigating internet paedophilia, which subsequently recommended the introduction of the new offence of 'grooming'.{{cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/paedophiles-to-face-jail-for-grooming-victims-on-internet-183054.html|title = Paedophiles to face jail for 'grooming' victims on internet|last = Woolf|first = Marie|date = 5 July 2002|work = The Independent|access-date = 6 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305100508/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/paedophiles-to-face-jail-for-grooming-victims-on-internet-183054.html|archive-date = 5 March 2016|url-status = live}}

In January 2003, he had responsibility for introducing the Sexual Offences Bill in the House of Commons.{{cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sex-law-reforms-leave-confusion-over-public-acts-131364.html|title = Sex law reforms leave confusion over public acts|last = Burrell|first = Ian|date = 30 January 2003|work = The Independent|access-date = 6 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305093428/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sex-law-reforms-leave-confusion-over-public-acts-131364.html|archive-date = 5 March 2016|url-status = live}}

In May 2003, he was moved from the Home Office back to the Department for International Development, where he served as Minister of State. He also acted as the Department's Commons spokesperson, as then-Secretary of State for International Development, Baroness Amos, was a member of the House of Lords.{{cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mini-reshuffle-fails-to-hide-division-in-government-ranks-104623.html|title = Mini-reshuffle fails to hide division in Government ranks|last = Grice|first = Andrew|date = 13 May 2003|work = The Independent|access-date = 6 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305025928/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mini-reshuffle-fails-to-hide-division-in-government-ranks-104623.html|archive-date = 5 March 2016|url-status = live}}

=Secretary of State for International Development (2003–2007)=

File:Hilary Benn.jpg

In 2003, Benn was promoted to the cabinet from his position as Minister of State to become Secretary of State for International Development, after Baroness Amos was appointed as Leader of the House of Lords. When he informed his family, his father Tony said that "the house rocked with delight".{{cite news |last1=Wintour |first1=Patrick |title=Cabinet promotion for Hilary keeps it in the family |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/oct/07/uk.internationalaidanddevelopment |access-date=3 January 2016 |work=The Guardian |date=7 October 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305051021/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/oct/07/uk.internationalaidanddevelopment |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live}} Following his first Department for International Development (DfID) question time, Benn was criticised by Liberal Democrat international development spokesperson Tom Brake over his comments about opening Iraq up to foreign investors.{{cite news |last1=Brake |first1=Tom |title=Benn's fire-sale in Iraq |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/oct/17/iraq.iraq1 |access-date=5 January 2016 |work=The Guardian |date=17 October 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305084404/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/oct/17/iraq.iraq1 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live}}

The Guardian noted that one of Benn's main challenges as Secretary of State for International Development would be the "fraught reconstruction of Iraq". In February 2004, Benn said that restoring security in Iraq would be "absolutely fundamental" to a reconstruction effort.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2004/feb/19/internationalaidanddevelopment.politicsandiraq |title=Benn details Iraq reconstruction aid |date=19 February 2004 |work=The Guardian |access-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305005934/http://www.theguardian.com/society/2004/feb/19/internationalaidanddevelopment.politicsandiraq |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live}}

Benn oversaw the DfID response to the 2003 Bam earthquake, which included "helping to coordinate efforts on the ground, liaise with other international relief organisations and work with the Iranian government to ensure that the right equipment gets to where it is needed as quickly as possible."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/dec/28/foreignpolicy.iran |title=World is pulling together for Bam |last=Benn |first=Hilary |date=28 October 2003 |work=The Observer |access-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305102056/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/dec/28/foreignpolicy.iran |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live}} He subsequently oversaw the UK's response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2005 Nias–Simeulue earthquake, to which he responded "with skill".

In July 2004, Benn set out five stages to end the Darfur War that had begun in February 2003. The stages were: "to get help to the people in the camps and elsewhere", "to get more people and more capacity on the ground to deliver this aid", "security – urgently", getting the "government of Sudan... to disarm the militias and provide security to the people" and "Finally, this crisis needs a political solution".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2004/jul/25/internationalaidanddevelopment.sudan |title=Five vital stages to achieve peace |last=Benn |first=Hilary |date=25 July 2004 |work=The Guardian |access-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305040127/http://www.theguardian.com/society/2004/jul/25/internationalaidanddevelopment.sudan |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live}}

Benn has also been a critic of the United Nations. In December 2004, he called for reform of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNHCA), and also said that the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was "supposed to coordinate but does not have the power of resources to do the job properly".{{cite news |last=Wintour |first=Patrick |date=30 December 2004 |title=Benn calls for reform of UN relief efforts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2004/dec/30/tsunami2004.internationalaidanddevelopment |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083514/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2004/dec/30/tsunami2004.internationalaidanddevelopment |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=5 January 2016 |work=The Guardian}} Benn has been credited with helping to found the Central Emergency Response Fund.

At the 2005 general election, Benn was again re-elected, with a decreased vote share of 60% and a decreased majority of 11,866.

On 13 June 2005, he committed an additional £19 million to the African Union security mission in Darfur, bringing the total UK contribution to £32 million.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/jun/14/sudan.foreignpolicy |title=Minister urges Sudan to resolve Darfur crisis |date=14 June 2005 |work=The Guardian |access-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004052/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/jun/14/sudan.foreignpolicy |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live}} Benn led the UK negotiating team at the 2006 Darfur peace negotiations.{{cite web |title=About Hilary |url=http://www.hilarybennmp.com/bio |website=Hilary Benn MP |access-date=3 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113110708/http://www.hilarybennmp.com/bio |archive-date=13 January 2017 |url-status=dead}}

In 2007, the New Statesman noted that "Benn's work at DfID ... has often been at odds with the Bush administration". In particular, an example was Benn's opposition to the United States policy of increasing abstinence when it came to fighting AIDS in Africa, whereas Benn took a "harm reduction" approach. He was also dismissive of US policy, saying: "Abstinence-only programmes are fine if you want to abstain, but not everybody does."{{cite news |last1=Bright |first1=Martin |last2=Kampfner |first2=John |title=Interview: Hilary Benn |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics/2007/02/benn-interview-iraq-iran-sex |access-date=4 January 2016 |work=New Statesman |date=19 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807034714/http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics/2007/02/benn-interview-iraq-iran-sex |archive-date=7 August 2016 |url-status=live}}

==Labour Party Deputy Leadership election, 2007==

In late October 2006, Benn announced that he would be standing in the 2007 Labour Party deputy leadership election.{{cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/oct/27/labourleadership.labour|title = Benn may follow father in deputy leader bid|last = Woodward|first = Will|date = 27 October 2006|work = The Guardian|access-date = 5 January 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140926015217/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/oct/27/labourleadership.labour|archive-date = 26 September 2014|url-status = live}} One of his earliest backers was Dennis Skinner, and it was also announced that Ian McCartney would play an important role in his campaign.{{cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/oct/28/labour.politics|title = Benn gets Skinner's support in deputy race|last = Branigan|first = Tania|date = 28 October 2006|work = The Guardian|access-date = 5 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304220956/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/oct/28/labour.politics|archive-date = 4 March 2016|url-status = live}} On 6 December, an open letter was published in The Guardian signed by six Labour parliamentarians that said Benn's election as Deputy Leader could rebuild a "coalition of trust" in the Labour Party.{{cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/dec/06/labour.guardianletters|title = Benn should come to the aid of the party|date = 6 December 2006|work = The Guardian|access-date = 5 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161225000234/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/dec/06/labour.guardianletters|archive-date = 25 December 2016|url-status = live}}{{cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/dec/06/labourleadership.labour1|title = Benn 'could rebuild trust in Labour'|date = 6 December 2006|work = The Guardian|access-date = 5 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305085705/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/dec/06/labourleadership.labour1|archive-date = 5 March 2016|url-status = live}}

In 2007, Benn was the bookmakers' favourite for the Deputy Leadership of the Labour Party.{{cite web|url=http://www.casinotimes.co.uk/casino-news/2007-02/william-hill-labour-170207.htm |title=Blears 8/1 For Deputy Labour Leader |date=17 February 2007 |work=Casino Times |access-date=11 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630013226/http://www.casinotimes.co.uk/casino-news/2007-02/william-hill-labour-170207.htm |archive-date=30 June 2009 |url-status=dead }} Early polls in the deputy leadership contest showed him to be the grassroots' favourite – in a YouGov poll of party members, Benn was top with 27%, followed by Education Secretary Alan Johnson with 18%, Environment Secretary David Miliband with 17%, Justice Minister Harriet Harman with 10%, and Labour Party Chair Hazel Blears with 7%.{{cite web|url=http://www.ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/archives/312 |title=YouGov polls on the Labour leadership |last=Wells |first=Anthony |date=8 September 2006 |publisher=UK Polling Report |access-date=11 October 2008 |archive-date=23 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723160830/http://www.ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/archives/312 |url-status=dead }} The contest was launched on 14 May 2007 after the resignation of incumbent deputy leader John Prescott, Benn had some difficulties securing the necessary 45 nominations required to get on the ballot paper but he acquired the support needed to join five other candidates—Hazel Blears, Harriet Harman, Alan Johnson, Peter Hain and backbencher Jon Cruddas.{{cite news|date=16 May 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6658307.stm |access-date=17 May 2007 |work=BBC News |title=Benn short of backers |archive-date=18 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818192229/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6658307.stm |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6663653.stm |title=Deputy hopefuls make their case |date=17 May 2007 |access-date=17 May 2007 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826035151/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6663653.stm |archive-date=26 August 2007 |url-status=dead}} Supporting nominations from constituency Labour parties showed Hilary Benn obtaining 25%, Jon Cruddas 22%, Harriet Harman 19%, Alan Johnson 14%, Hazel Blears 12% and Peter Hain 8% of the constituency parties that voted. The contest closed on Sunday 24 June 2007, with Harriet Harman winning. Benn was eliminated in the third round of voting, having reached 22.33% of the vote. Harman was elected in the fifth round with 50.43% of the vote.

=Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2007–2010)=

In 2007, Benn was appointed as the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, following the election of Gordon Brown as Party Leader, and the promotion of David Miliband to Foreign Secretary.{{cite news |title=Profile: Hilary Benn |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/jun/28/labour.gordonbrown1 |access-date=3 January 2016 |work=The Guardian |date=28 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225000825/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/jun/28/labour.gordonbrown1 |archive-date=25 December 2016 |url-status=live}} As Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, he introduced and implemented the UK's Climate Change Act 2008. It was also his responsibility as Secretary to respond to the threat to cattle from Mycobacterium bovis, colloquially referred to as bovine tuberculosis (TB). The recommended option from the Chief Scientific Advisor until 2007, Sir David King, was a badger cull.{{cite news |last1=Ghosh |first1=Pallab |title=Science chief urges badger cull |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7056501.stm |access-date=9 June 2015 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024132201/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7056501.stm |archive-date=24 October 2007 |url-status=live}} In April 2010, a badger cull was announced in Wales, after the high court in Cardiff rejected a legal challenge from The Badger Trust.{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Steven |title=Badger cull in Wales gets legal go-ahead |url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/apr/16/badger-cull-wales-challenge-rejected |date=16 April 2010 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=4 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208072712/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/apr/16/badger-cull-wales-challenge-rejected |archive-date=8 December 2015 |url-status=live}}

During the parliamentary expenses scandal, Benn was picked out by several national newspapers as one of only three senior members of the Labour Party to have not presented expenses beyond reproach. The Guardian stated: "When all Westminster MPs' total expenditures are ranked, Benn's bill is the fifteenth least expensive for the taxpayer".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/may/08/mps-expenses-hilary-benn-ed-miliband |title=Bargain Benn, modest Miliband (Ed, not David) |first=Allegra |last=Stratton |date=8 May 2009 |access-date=12 May 2009 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511084010/http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/08/mps-expenses-hilary-benn-ed-miliband |archive-date=11 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}

At the 2010 general election, Benn was again re-elected with a decreased vote share of 49.3% and a decreased majority of 10,645.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2010 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726162034/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-date=26 July 2013 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}{{cite news |date=7 May 2010 |title=UK > England > Yorkshire & the Humber > Leeds Central |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/c50.stm |access-date=12 May 2010 |work=Election 2010 |publisher=BBC}} Following the election, he served as Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2010 during Harriet Harman's interim leadership of the Labour Party. In the Shadow Cabinet of Ed Miliband, announced on 8 October 2010, he was appointed Shadow Leader of the House of Commons. When Miliband reshuffled his cabinet on 7 October 2011, he was named Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

=Shadow Foreign Secretary=

At the 2015 general election, Benn was again re-elected, increasing his share of the vote to 55% and increasing his majority to 16,967.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2015 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}{{cite news |title=Leeds Central |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000777 |access-date=13 May 2015 |publisher=BBC News}} Following the election, Benn was named Shadow Foreign Secretary in the Second Shadow Cabinet of Harriet Harman. On 17 June, Benn deputised for Harriet Harman at Prime Minister's Questions, when David Cameron was overseas in Europe, and Benn was Harman's unofficial deputy.{{cite news |last1=Chakelian |first1=Anoosh |title=Why is Hilary Benn doing PMQs? |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/06/why-hilary-benn-doing-pmqs |access-date=27 November 2015 |work=New Statesman |date=17 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208045001/http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/06/why-hilary-benn-doing-pmqs |archive-date=8 December 2015 |url-status=live}} One of the questions he asked challenged George Osborne, who was deputising for Cameron, over whether HMS Bulwark was under active review as revealed in a report by The Guardian.{{cite news |last1=Alan |first1=Travis |last2=Rowena |first2=Mason |title=UK's Mediterranean migrant rescue ship will be withdrawn, Osborne confirms |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/17/mediterranean-migrant-crisis-uk-hms-bulwark-withdrawal-george-osborne |access-date=4 January 2016 |work=The Guardian |date=17 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106180520/http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/17/mediterranean-migrant-crisis-uk-hms-bulwark-withdrawal-george-osborne |archive-date=6 January 2016 |url-status=live}} Writing for the New Statesman, George Eaton commended Benn's performance, saying: "Benn smartly denied the Chancellor the chance to deploy his favourite attack lines by devoting his six questions to national security and the Mediterranean refugee crisis, rather than the economy."{{cite news |last1=Eaton |first1=George |author-link=George Eaton (journalist) |title=PMQs review: Osborne's unwise joke mars a solid debut |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/06/pmqs-review-osbornes-unwise-joke-mars-solid-debut |access-date=4 January 2016 |work=New Statesman |date=17 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225061510/http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/06/pmqs-review-osbornes-unwise-joke-mars-solid-debut |archive-date=25 December 2015 |url-status=live}}

In September 2015, both leadership and deputy leadership elections took place in the Labour Party. Benn supported Caroline Flint in the deputy leadership election,{{cite news|title=Nominations to close on Labour deputy leadership contest|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/17/nominations-to-close-on-labour-deputy-leadership-contest|access-date=4 January 2016|work=The Guardian|date=17 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228160334/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/17/nominations-to-close-on-labour-deputy-leadership-contest|archive-date=28 December 2015|url-status=live}} and Andy Burnham in the leadership election.{{cite news|last1=Wintour|first1=Patrick|title=Labour splits deepen over EU referendum campaign|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/12/labour-splits-deepen-over-eu-referendum-campaign|access-date=4 January 2016|work=The Guardian|date=12 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305084330/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/12/labour-splits-deepen-over-eu-referendum-campaign|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}} Following the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Leader of the Labour Party in September, Benn retained the role of Shadow Foreign Secretary in Corbyn's shadow cabinet, and stressed that Labour would campaign to remain in the EU "under all circumstances".{{cite news|last1=Wintour|first1=Patrick|last2=Mason|first2=Rowena|last3=Syal|first3=Rajeev|title=Jeremy Corbyn appoints ally John McDonnell as shadow chancellor|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/13/jeremy-corbyn-shadow-cabinet-andy-burnham-labour|access-date=4 January 2016|work=The Guardian|date=14 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225115324/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/13/jeremy-corbyn-shadow-cabinet-andy-burnham-labour|archive-date=25 December 2015|url-status=live}} This was later affirmed by a joint statement released by both Benn and Corbyn, which said that "Labour will be campaigning in the referendum for the UK to stay in the European Union."{{cite news |last1=Wintour |first1=Patrick |title=Jeremy Corbyn: Labour will campaign for UK to stay in the EU |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/17/jeremy-corbyn-labour-campaign-for-uk-stay-in-eu |access-date=4 January 2016 |work=The Guardian |date=17 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009064206/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/17/jeremy-corbyn-labour-campaign-for-uk-stay-in-eu |archive-date=9 October 2015 |url-status=live}}

On 20 September, Benn signalled that Labour could back Prime Minister David Cameron's plans for airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria: "What we've said consistently is that the government, if it has got a proposal, should bring that to the House of Commons. In relation to airstrikes, we shall look at the objectives. At the moment we don't know what the proposal is ... We will judge that against the objective, the legal base..."{{cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Rowena |title=Labour could back Syria strikes despite Corbyn opposition, says Hilary Benn |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/20/labour-could-back-syria-strikes-despite-corbyn-opposition-says-hilary-benn|access-date=4 January 2016|work=The Guardian|date=20 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126135546/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/20/labour-could-back-syria-strikes-despite-corbyn-opposition-says-hilary-benn|archive-date=26 January 2016|url-status=live}} In November 2015, following the Paris attacks that had occurred a few days earlier, Benn initially agreed with Corbyn's position rejecting the proposal for Britain to launch airstrikes against ISIL in Syria and any intervention.{{cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/hilary-benn-shadow-foreign-secretary-says-labour-wont-back-air-strikes-on-syria-a6734651.html|title = Hilary Benn: Shadow Foreign Secretary says Labour won't back air strikes on Syria|date = 15 November 2015|access-date = 4 December 2015|newspaper = The Independent on Sunday|last = McTague|first = Tom|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151203120516/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/hilary-benn-shadow-foreign-secretary-says-labour-wont-back-air-strikes-on-syria-a6734651.html|archive-date = 3 December 2015|url-status = live}} However, Benn subsequently supported plans laid out by the Prime Minister, and said he would not resign over his disagreement with Corbyn because he was "doing [his] job as the Shadow Foreign Secretary".{{cite news|last1=Casalicchio|first1=Emilio|title=Hilary Benn: I won't quit|url=https://www.politicshome.com/party-politics/articles/story/hilary-benn-i-wont-quit|access-date=27 November 2015|work=Politics Home|date=27 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208143204/https://www.politicshome.com/party-politics/articles/story/hilary-benn-i-wont-quit|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last1=Mason|first1=Rowena|last2=Boffe|first2=Daniel|title=Hilary Benn tells Corbyn: I'm doing my job in supporting Syria airstrikes|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/27/hilary-benn-wont-resign-over-support-syria-airstrikes?CMP=twt_gu|access-date=27 November 2015|work=The Guardian|date=27 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208070250/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/27/hilary-benn-wont-resign-over-support-syria-airstrikes?CMP=twt_gu|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live}} Benn had voted in favour of the Iraq War in 2003 and the 2011 military intervention in Libya,{{cite web |title= Hilary Benn » Voting Record |url= https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/10669/hilary_benn/leeds_central/votes |website= theyworkforyou.com |access-date= 2 December 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151208215117/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/10669/hilary_benn/leeds_central/votes |archive-date= 8 December 2015 |url-status= live }} but voted against military intervention against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/syria-how-your-mp-vote-2238483|title=Syria: How did your MP vote in the Commons over military action?|work=Daily Mirror|first=Jason|last=Beattie|date=30 August 2013|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916130417/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/syria-how-your-mp-vote-2238483|archive-date=16 September 2018|url-status=live}}

File:Barack Obama and Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn.jpg meet with President Barack Obama in April 2016.]]

On 2 December 2015, Benn made the closing speech for the official opposition in the House of Commons debate on airstrikes against ISIL in Syria. The speech opposed the position espoused by Corbyn against the government's motion.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34980504|title=Syria vote: Cameron and Corbyn clash over air strikes|work=BBC News|date=2 December 2015|access-date=3 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202222105/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34980504|archive-date=2 December 2015|url-status=live}} The speech was applauded by MPs on both sides of the house,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34990957 |title=Hilary Benn's Syria speech applauded by MPs |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206021447/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34990957 |archive-date=6 December 2015 |url-status=live }} a gesture not usually permitted in the Commons.{{cite news|last1=Wheeler|first1=Brian|title=Why are MPs banned from clapping?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32913113|access-date=3 December 2015|work=BBC News|date=28 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013190122/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32913113|archive-date=13 October 2015|url-status=live}} Along with a minority of shadow cabinet colleagues, he voted for airstrikes in Syria and the motion passed by a higher-than-expected majority of 174 votes.{{cite news|last=Dathan|first=Matt|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/syria-air-strikes-majority-of-shadow-cabinet-backed-jeremy-corbyn-but-more-than-a-third-of-labour-a6758166.html|title=Syria air strikes: Majority of Shadow Cabinet supported Jeremy Corbyn but third of Labour MPs rebelled|work=The Independent|date=3 December 2015|access-date=3 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203131918/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/syria-air-strikes-majority-of-shadow-cabinet-backed-jeremy-corbyn-but-more-than-a-third-of-labour-a6758166.html|archive-date=3 December 2015|url-status=live}} The Conservative Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond described Benn's oration as "one of the truly great speeches in Commons history".{{cite news |last=Riley-Smith |first=Ben |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/12032191/hilary-benn-labour-party-leader-jeremy-corbyn.html |title=Hilary Benn will never lead the Labour Party, say Jeremy Corbyn's allies |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=3 December 2015 |access-date=3 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204055728/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/12032191/hilary-benn-labour-party-leader-jeremy-corbyn.html |archive-date=4 December 2015 |url-status=live }} Speaking to the BBC the following day, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell compared Benn's speech to that given by Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2003 ahead of the Iraq War. McDonnell described it as an "excellent" piece of oratory, but added: "The greatest oratory can lead us to the greatest mistakes."{{cite web | title= Hilary Benn speech reminded me of Blair – McDonnell | url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34993438 | author= | date= 3 December 2015 | website= BBC News Online | access-date= 3 December 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151203214022/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34993438 | archive-date= 3 December 2015 | url-status= live }} According to Labour MP Jamie Reed, following his speech, in the eyes of Corbyn, Benn became "at best a rebel, at worst a traitor."{{cite news|last1=Reed|first1=Jamie|author-link1=Jamie Reed|title=If Jeremy Corbyn moves Hilary Benn, he'll hurt himself|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2016/01/if-jeremy-corbyn-moves-hilary-benn-hell-hurt-himself|access-date=4 January 2016|work=New Statesman|date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106012338/http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2016/01/if-jeremy-corbyn-moves-hilary-benn-hell-hurt-himself|archive-date=6 January 2016|url-status=live}}

In January 2016, Benn criticised British involvement in Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen after a leaked UN report concluded there had been "widespread and systematic" attacks on civilian targets in violation of international humanitarian law."[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/27/labour-raises-pressure-on-cameron-to-explain-yemen-involvement Labour seeks details of UK role in Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016180953/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/27/labour-raises-pressure-on-cameron-to-explain-yemen-involvement |date=16 October 2016}}". The Guardian, 27 January 2016.

On 25 June 2016, The Observer revealed that Benn "called fellow MPs over the weekend to suggest that he will ask Corbyn to stand down if there is significant support for a move against the leader. He has also asked shadow cabinet colleagues to join him in resigning if the Labour leader ignores that request."{{cite news |last1=Boffey |first1=Daniel |title=Hilary Benn seeks shadow cabinet backing to oust Corbyn |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/25/hilary-benn-jeremy-corbyn-labour-leadership-eu-referendum-brexit |access-date=26 June 2016 |work=The Observer |date=25 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625223728/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/25/hilary-benn-jeremy-corbyn-labour-leadership-eu-referendum-brexit |archive-date=25 June 2016 |url-status=live}} During a phone call in the early hours of 26 June, Benn told Corbyn that Labour MPs and shadow cabinet members had "no confidence in our ability to win the election" under his leadership. Corbyn then dismissed Benn from his position as Shadow Foreign Secretary. In a statement issued at 03:30, Benn said: "It has now become clear that there is widespread concern among Labour MPs and in the shadow cabinet about Jeremy Corbyn's leadership of our party. In particular, there is no confidence in our ability to win the next election, which may come much sooner than expected, if Jeremy continues as leader."{{cite news|last1=Asthana|first1=Anushka|last2=Boffey|first2=Daniel|last3=Phipps|first3=Claire|title=Half of Labour shadow cabinet set to resign after Hilary Benn sacked|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/26/hilary-benn-revolt-jeremy-corbyn|access-date=26 June 2016|work=The Observer|date=26 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626010403/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/26/hilary-benn-revolt-jeremy-corbyn|archive-date=26 June 2016|url-status=live}} Later in the morning, Heidi Alexander, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health, also resigned. Throughout the day, a further eight members of the shadow cabinet resigned.{{cite news|last1=Syal|first1=Rajeev|last2=Perraudin|first2=Frances|title=Shadow cabinet resignations: who has gone and who is staying|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/26/labour-shadow-cabinet-resignations-jeremy-corbyn-who-has-gone|access-date=26 June 2016|work=The Guardian|date=26 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722213447/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/26/labour-shadow-cabinet-resignations-jeremy-corbyn-who-has-gone|archive-date=22 July 2016|url-status=live}}

Benn then supported Owen Smith in the failed attempt to replace Corbyn in the 2016 Labour Party leadership election.{{cite web |date=21 July 2016 |title=Full list of MPs and MEPs backing challenger Owen Smith |url=https://labourlist.org/2016/07/which-mps-and-meps-have-nominated-owen-smith/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715214543/https://labourlist.org/2016/07/which-mps-and-meps-have-nominated-owen-smith/ |archive-date=15 July 2019 |access-date=15 July 2019 |website=LabourList}}

=Select committee chairman=

In September 2016, Benn announced his intention to stand for chairman of the new Exiting the European Union Select Committee, a House of Commons select committee. He stated that his intention was to "get the best deal for the British people". His bid was supported by former Labour leader Ed Miliband, as well as other senior Labour Party figures including Angela Eagle, Dan Jarvis, and Andy Burnham. His opponent in the bid was Kate Hoey, a fellow Labour MP and a Leave vote supporter. The result, announced on 19 October, was 330 votes to Benn, and 209 to Hoey, so Benn became the new chairman.{{cite news|last=Elgot|first=Jessica|title=Hilary Benn and Kate Hoey compete for key Brexit scrutiny role|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/18/hilary-benn-kate-hoey-compete-brexit-scrutiny-committee|access-date=19 October 2016|work=The Guardian|date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020045113/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/18/hilary-benn-kate-hoey-compete-brexit-scrutiny-committee|archive-date=20 October 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Pro-Remain MP Hilary Benn heads Brexit Commons Committee|url=http://news.sky.com/story/pro-remain-mp-hilary-benn-heads-brexit-commons-committee-10623788|access-date=19 October 2016|work=Sky News|date=19 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020040355/http://news.sky.com/story/pro-remain-mp-hilary-benn-heads-brexit-commons-committee-10623788|archive-date=20 October 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Syal|first=Rajeev|title=MPs elect Hilary Benn to chair Brexit select committee|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/19/mps-elect-hilary-benn-to-chair-brexit-select-committee|access-date=19 October 2016|work=The Guardian|date=19 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020045740/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/19/mps-elect-hilary-benn-to-chair-brexit-select-committee|archive-date=20 October 2016|url-status=live}}

At the snap 2017 general election, Benn was again re-elected with an increased vote share of 70.2% and an increased majority of 23,698.{{cite web |title=Leeds Central |url=http://www.leeds.gov.uk/docs/Statement-of-Persons-Nominated,-Notice-of-Poll-and-Situation-of-Polling-Stations.pdf |access-date=11 May 2017 |publisher=Leeds City Council |archive-date=18 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518222713/http://www.leeds.gov.uk/docs/Statement-of-Persons-Nominated,-Notice-of-Poll-and-Situation-of-Polling-Stations.pdf |url-status=dead }}

In this position, he supported the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2019 as proposed on a cross-party basis by Labour's Yvette Cooper and the Conservatives' Oliver Letwin to force the Government to ask for an extension of the Article 50 process.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/independentminds/brexit-explained/brexit-no-deal-bill-yvette-cooper-oliver-letwin-hilary-benn-a8853191.html |title=Will Yvette Cooper's bill really prevent a no-deal Brexit? |date=3 April 2019 |website=The Independent |access-date=25 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505213028/https://www.independent.co.uk/independentminds/brexit-explained/brexit-no-deal-bill-yvette-cooper-oliver-letwin-hilary-benn-a8853191.html |archive-date=5 May 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/how-sir-oliver-letwin-led-the-commons-rebellion-that-took-back-control-of-brexit_uk_5c99638fe4b0f7bfa1b58425 |title=How Sir Oliver Letwin Led The Parliamentary 'Revolution' On Brexit |date=26 March 2019 |website=HuffPost UK |access-date=25 June 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/meet-the-six-politicians-putting-parliament-in-control-of-brexit |title=Meet the six politicians putting Parliament in control of Brexit |date=14 January 2019 |website=The Straits Times |access-date=25 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207062750/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/meet-the-six-politicians-putting-parliament-in-control-of-brexit |archive-date=7 February 2019 |url-status=live}}

He sponsored the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019, consequently also known as the Benn Act, which received Royal assent on 9 September 2019, obliging the Prime Minister to seek a third extension had no agreement been reached at the subsequent European Council meeting in October 2019.{{cite act |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/26 |title=European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019 |date=9 September 2019 |access-date=14 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929042010/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/26 |archive-date=29 September 2019 |url-status=live}}

At the 2019 general election, Benn was again re-elected, with a decreased vote share of 61.7% and a decreased majority of 19,270.{{cite news |title=Leeds Central Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000777 |access-date=2 November 2019 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}

=Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland=

Following a reshuffle of the Shadow Cabinet on 4 September 2023, Benn rejoined the frontbench and was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Benn's appointment was welcomed by Doug Beattie, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, who remarked that "the appointment of an individual with such an extensive political career is an indication of the importance the Labour Party leader places on Northern Ireland".{{cite web |title=Beattie Welcomes New Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland |url=https://www.uup.org/beattie_welcomes_new_shadow_secretary_of_state_for_northern_ireland |access-date=9 September 2023 |website=UUP Live }}

Due to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, Benn's constituency of Leeds Central was abolished, and replaced with Leeds South. In June 2024, Benn was selected as the Labour candidate for Leeds South at the 2024 general election.{{Cite web |date=7 June 2024 |title=Leeds South Statement of Persons Nominated |url=https://www.leeds.gov.uk/your-council/elections/parliamentary-general-election/leeds-south |access-date=7 June 2024 |publisher=Leeds City Council |language=en}}

= Secretary of State for Northern Ireland =

At the 2024 general election, Benn was elected to Parliament as MP for Leeds South with 54% of the vote and a majority of 11,279.{{cite news |title=Leeds South results |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001323 |access-date=8 July 2024 }}{{cite web |title=Leeds South |url=https://www.leeds.gov.uk/your-council/elections/parliamentary-general-election/leeds-south |access-date=8 July 2024 |website=Leeds City Council}}

Following the Labour Party's landslide victory in the general election,{{cite news |title=Labour reshuffle live: Angela Rayner gets new role as Keir Starmer reshuffles team |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-66701628 |access-date=4 September 2023 |website=BBC News}}{{Cite web |title=Hilary Benn MP |url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/413/career}} Benn was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in formation of the new cabinet.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-05 |title=Hilary Benn: Who is the new Northern Ireland secretary? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx827v8rxzyo |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |last=Aodha |first=By Grinne N. |date=2024-07-05 |title='Great honour' to be appointed Northern Ireland Secretary, says Hilary Benn |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/tony-benn-hilary-benn-chris-heatonharris-leeds-cabinet-b1169086.html |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}} He is one of two cabinet ministers (the other being Douglas Alexander) to serve under three Labour premiers.

In a joint letter with Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy, Benn confirmed to Stormont's Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons on 13 September 2024 that the government will not be providing funding for the redevelopment of Casement Park in time for the Euro 2028 football tournament.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-13 |title=Casement Park: 'Significant risk' stadium won't be built for Euro 2028 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7899k921ko |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} He later declined to state how much money the government might be willing to contribute towards the redevelopment.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-16 |title=Casement Park: Hilary Benn will not confirm funding amount |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5eezq5667o |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Prior to Benn's speech at the Labour Party Conference on 23 September 2024, he announced in an interview that the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) investigating Troubles killings will not be scrapped. He also defended the government's decision to cut winter fuel payments for almost 250,000 pensioners in Northern Ireland, stating that "being in government is about making difficult choices" given the state of public finances.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-23 |title=ICRIR: Legacy body won't be scrapped, Hilary Benn says |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl8xp7yxego |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In November 2024, Benn voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes to legalise assisted suicide.{{cite web |title=Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading |url=https://votes.parliament.uk/votes/commons/division/1877 |website=Votes in Parliament |date=29 November 2024}}

Personal life

In 1973, while at university, Benn married fellow student Rosalind Caroline Retey. She died of cancer, aged 26, in 1979.{{cite book |last=Benn |first=Anthony |year=1995 |title=The Benn Diaries |page=476 |editor-last=Winstone |editor-first=Ruth |publisher=Hutchinson |isbn=0-09-179223-1}} Benn subsequently married Sally Christina Clark in 1982,{{cite book |url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U7219/ |title=Who's Who |publisher=A & C Black |year=2015}}{{cite book |last=Benn |first=Anthony |year=1995 |title=The Benn Diaries |page=538 |editor-last=Winstone |editor-first=Ruth |publisher=Hutchinson |isbn=0-09-179223-1}} and the couple have four children.{{cite news |last=McCann |first=Kate |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/12030864/Who-is-Hilary-Benn-Labours-leader-in-waiting.html |title=Who is Hilary Benn? Labour's leader in waiting |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=3 December 2015 |access-date=3 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204105213/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/12030864/Who-is-Hilary-Benn-Labours-leader-in-waiting.html |archive-date=4 December 2015 |url-status=live }}

Like his father, who died in March 2014, he is a teetotaller and vegetarian.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/nov/09/labour.hilarybenn |title='I'm not a natural rebel' |last=Ashley |first=Jackie |date=9 November 2006 |work=The Guardian |access-date=11 October 2008 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905151628/http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/nov/09/labour.hilarybenn |archive-date=5 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}

Awards

Benn was shortlisted for the Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Award in 2015 for his work on increasing aid at DfID, and remains in the directory of the Grassroot Diplomat Who's Who publication.{{cite news|title=Grassroot Diplomat Who's Who |url=http://www.grassrootdiplomat.org/whoswho/ |access-date=27 April 2015 |work=Grassroot Diplomat |date=15 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520125406/http://www.grassrootdiplomat.org/whoswho/ |archive-date=20 May 2015}}

Benn has won the Channel 4 Political Awards Politicians' Politician 2006,{{cite news|date=2 February 2006|title=Oliver wins Ch 4 political award|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4673028.stm|access-date=13 May 2020}} Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year 2016{{cite web|title=Parliamentarian of the Year 2016 – The Speeches|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-parliamentarian-of-the-year-2016-the-speeches|website=The Spectator|date=2 November 2016 |access-date=13 May 2020}} and the Political Studies Association Parliamentarian of the Year 2019.{{cite web|title=PSA Awards Results 2019 Press Release|url=https://www.psa.ac.uk/psa/news/psa-awards-results-2019-press-release|date=12 November 2019|website=The Political Studies Association (PSA)|access-date=13 May 2020}}

Notes

References

External links

{{Official website|https://www.hilarybennmp.com/}}
[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20091118110635/http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/who/ministers/benn.htm Hilary Benn MP] official Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) profile{{UK MP links|parliament=hilary-benn/413|hansard=mr-hilary-benn|hansardcurr=3953 |guardian=360/hilary-benn|publicwhip=Hilary_Benn|theywork=hilary_benn|record=Hilary-Benn/Leeds-Central/39|bbc=25735.stm|journalisted=hilary-benn}}
[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/jun/03/labourdeputy.labour Close family, distant politics], Nicholas Watt, The Observer, 3 June 2007 interview with Benn and his father
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110524115613/http://www.gleeds.tv/index.cfm?video=589 Adapting to Climate Change] Rt Hon Hilary Benn, Royal Institute of British Architects, Gleeds TV, video
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