Joan Lorraine Walley (born 23 January 1949) is a British Labour Party politician, who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Stoke-on-Trent North from the 1987 general election until 2015.
Joan Walley | |
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Member of the Electoral Commission for the Labour Party | |
Assumed office 1 November 2018 | |
Nominated by | Jeremy Corbyn |
Preceded by | Bridget Prentice |
Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent North | |
In office 11 June 1987 – 30 March 2015 | |
Preceded by | John Forrester |
Succeeded by | Ruth Smeeth |
Personal details | |
Born | Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England | 23 January 1949
Political party | Labour |
She attended Biddulph Grammar School (now known as Woodhouse Middle School) in Biddulph, north Staffordshire. At the University of Hull, she gained a BA in Social Administration. From the University College of Wales, Swansea, she gained a Diploma in Community Work Development. From 1970 to 1973, she worked on an Alcoholics Recovery Project. From 1974 to 1978, she was a Local Government Officer for Swansea City Council. She worked for Wandsworth Council from 1978 to 1979. From 1979 to 1982, she was a Development Officer for NACRO.
Following the deselection of her predecessor John Forrester, she stood as the Labour Party candidate for Stoke-on-Trent North (the second female MP for the seat after Harriet Slater) and became the constituency's Member of Parliament (MP) at the 1987 general election.[1] Walley had previously been a Lambeth councillor.
She was elected by the House to be the Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee on 9 June 2010.[2]
In November 2013 she announced her intention to stand down at the next general election in 2015.[3] Walley became a member of the Electoral Commission in 2018.[4]
She married Jan Ostrowski in 1981; the couple have two sons; Daniel, born 1981, and Tom, born 1983. Walley is a supporter of Port Vale, the football club in her constituency.[5]