The Right Honourable John Denham, MP

Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills

Prior to being elected as an MP in 1992 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.

Following the election of the Labour Government in 1997, John served as a Government Minister. He was first appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Social Security in May 1997 and was later promoted within that department to Minister of State. He then became Minister of Health until June 2001 when he was appointed as Minister of State at the Home Office. In the Home Office he had responsibility for Crime Reduction, Policing and Community Safety. John also held a cross-government role as Minister for Children and Young People.

After a period on the backbenches, during which time he chaired the Home Affairs Select Committee, John was appointed to Gordon Brown's first cabinet as Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

In June 2000 he was appointed by the Queen as a Privy Counsellor.