Jessica Morden

Morden was born in Surrey, England and brought up in Cwmbran and educated at Croesyceiliog School before reading Medieval and Modern History (BA) at the University of Birmingham.

In 1991, Morden worked for Huw Edwards, MP for Monmouth, and between 1992 and 1995 she worked for Llew Smith, MP for Blaenau Gwent. Before becoming an MP, Morden was General Secretary of Welsh Labour from 1999 to 2005. She organised some of Labour's election campaigns for the 1997 election.^[1]

Morden was selected as the Labour Party candidate for Newport East in 2005 by the all-women shortlists method.^[1] She was elected as the first female MP in South East Wales with a 6,800 majority.

Morden served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Wales The Rt Hon Peter Hain MP until May 2010, and later as Shadow Parliamentary Private Secretary to Owen Smith MP during his time as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales.

In her first term Morden completed the Police Parliamentary Scheme, spending a month during recess with a range of departments and frontline police officers in Gwent Police. She was also appointed by the Speaker to the Members’ Advisory Committee to oversee the setting up of the first ever nursery in the House of Commons.

Morden served as a Senior Whip in the Opposition Whips’ office with responsibility for EU Withdrawal, Wales and Prime Minister's Questions. She was elected as chair of the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments in November 2018 and, following the dissolution of Parliament, re-elected in February 2020.

Morden claimed a total of £167,060 in expenses in 2007/08, the 30th highest amount claimed by the 643 members of the House of Commons. Within approved guidelines, Morden used some of the expenses allowance which was unspent from the previous year to provide additional office space after having a baby;^[2] the previous year she claimed £133,592, the 406th highest that year.^[3]

In March 2008, Jessica Morden was criticised by some of her constituents after voting against a Conservative parliamentary motion to halt the closure of hundreds of Post Offices whilst simultaneously campaigning to save the Christchurch Road branch in Newport East.^[4]

She supported Owen Smith in the failed attempt to replace Jeremy Corbyn in the 2016 Labour leadership election.^[5]

Jessica Morden was re-elected at the 2017 general election with a much increased majority of 8,003. She was again re-elected at the 2019 general election with a reduced majority of 1,992.

In February 2023, she was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer. In the September 2023 British shadow cabinet reshuffle, she was appointed Shadow Minister for Wales.^[6]

Morden is one of nine presidents of the Young People's Trust for the Environment.^[7]

^ ^a ^b "Thrilled to win right to fight for city seat". South Wales Argus. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 12 January 2010.

^ Chalk, Ailsa (31 March 2009). "Gwent MPs claim £896,337 in the last year". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 12 January 2010.

^ "Jessica Morden". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 12 January 2010.

^ "MP defends Post Office vote". South Wales Argus. 26 March 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2023.

^ "Full list of MPs and MEPs backing challenger Owen Smith". LabourList. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2019.

^ Belger, Tom (5 September 2023). "Labour reshuffle: Starmer unveils six new shadow ministers of state". LabourList. Retrieved 6 September 2023.

^ "Our Team | Presidents, Trustees and Staff". Young People's Trust For the Environment.

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Alan Howarth	Member of Parliament for Newport East 2005–present	Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Anita Gale	General Secretary of Welsh Labour 1999–2005	Succeeded by Chris Roberts

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