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Chair of the Labour Party (UK)

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This article is about the leader-appointed position in the Labour Shadow Cabinet. For the chair of the party's governing body, see National Executive Committee of the Labour Party § Chair of the National Executive Committee.
Chair of the Labour Party
Incumbent
Angela Rayner
since 5 April 2020
Labour Party
AppointerLeader of the Labour Party
Inaugural holderCharles Clarke
Formation9 June 2001
WebsiteLabour Party

The Chair of the Labour Party in the United Kingdom is responsible for party administration, overseeing the general election campaigns of the Labour Party. The role is currently held by Angela Rayner, who is also the Deputy Leader of the party.

History

The position was created by Tony Blair in the aftermath of the 2001 general election and remained a Cabinet position during the rest of his tenure, holding a sinecure post such as Minister without Portfolio.[1] The position is not to be confused with that of chair of the National Executive Committee, described as "chair of the party" in the Labour Party Constitution. The role had a larger portfolio for organising election campaigning under Jeremy Corbyn, with Ian Lavery working alongside the co-national campaign coordinator, Andrew Gwynne.[1] From 2007 to 2017 and from 2020 onward, the seat was held concurrently by the party's Deputy Leader. The position is currently held by Angela Rayner who was appointed by Keir Starmer following her election as Deputy Leader.

List of Chairs of the Labour Party

Party chair Term of office Leader

Charles Clarke 		9 June 2001 24 October 2004 Tony Blair

John Reid 		24 October 2002 4 April 2003 Tony Blair

Ian McCartney 		4 April 2003 5 May 2006 Tony Blair

Hazel Blears 		5 May 2006 24 June 2007 Tony Blair

Harriet Harman 		24 June 2007 12 September 2015 Gordon Brown
Herself (acting)
Ed Miliband
Herself (acting)

Tom Watson 		12 September 2015 14 June 2017 Jeremy Corbyn

Ian Lavery 		14 June 2017 5 April 2020 Jeremy Corbyn

Angela Rayner 		5 April 2020 Incumbent Keir Starmer

References

  1. ^ a b Hattersley, Roy (26 July 2001). "Blair mistook his Clarke for a chair". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2007.
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