Firebrand Byrne breaks the rules

Dec 16 2009 By Jon Walker

HODGE Hill MP Liam Byrne decided he was a Labour supporter at a young age – so young that he may have broken the rules to become a member.

The MP, a senior Cabinet member as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, admitted he had been over-eager to join the party during a high-minded profile about his political philosophy.

Mr Byrne, who will be 40 next year, said he became a firm Labour supporter in his early teens when Maggie Thatcher’s Conservative government took on the miners. He said: “I joined the Labour party not long after the miner’s strike.

“I remember cyring with rage at what I saw on the television, at what I saw as police baton-charging working communities who were standing up for their community and way of life and for their work.

“It was a rage at profound injustice in the early 1980s which motivated me to – I think I actually lied about my age in order to join the Labour Party as soon as I could.

“I remember borrowing the money off my dad.”

n Like many others, MP Gisela Stuart plans to go away for a few days during the Christmas break.

But Ms Stuart’s holiday destination is a familiar one – London, where she spends half her working days as a House of Commons backbencher.

She said: “I’ve been an MP for 12 years but I never see the place.

“We’re going to spend a few days on holiday in London.”

this Christmas. It will be a chance to visit some of the art galleries and museums I hear so much about.”