Mrs Hazel Blears MP

Hazel was born and brought up in Salford and had a dual career as a Senior Solicitor and a North West Councillor and was Chair of the Salford Community Health Council from 1992 to 1996.

She was elected as the Member of Parliament for Salford in May 1997.

She was PPS for Rt Hon Alan Milburn when he was Minister of State at the Health Department in 1998 and when he was Chief Secretary at the Treasury between January and October 1999.

Hazel was appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health in June 2001.

During the 1997-2001 Parliament Hazel was Vice President of the Local Government Association, Vice Chair of the Home Affairs Committee, Party Development Co-ordinator and a member of the Health and Culture, Media and Sport backbench committees. Hazel played an active role in a number of All-Party Parliamentary groups, including the North West Group of Labour MP's and the Rugby League group. (Hazel is a keen supporter of Salford Reds!) She was secretary to the Community Health Councils, Chair of the Motor Cycling group and a member of others including Sustainable Energy, Homelessness and Housing needs, Public Health and Primary Care.

In addition to being a member of the ISTD's Council, Hazel is a member of TGWU, and the Labour Party's National forum. She is a trustee of the Working Class Movement Library, the National Museum for Labour History and a member of the Co-operative Commission.

Her interests outside Parliament include motorcycling, tap dancing, going to the cinema and theatre and fell walking. She is married to Michael Halsall and lives in Salford.