Who is Valerie Vaz, the new MP for Walsall and Bloxwich?

In her very first media interview after winning the seat, in the early hours of Friday, Mrs Vaz said there is ‘so much to do’ for her constituents.

Before this year’s general election, the Labour politician was MP for Walsall South and had the seat for 14 years. Boundary changes led to the Walsall South and Walsall North seat being abolished, forming the new Walsall and Bloxwich. This meant Mrs Vaz had to win over a whole new set of constituents.

She said: “Because I’ve got the mandate now from the people of Walsall and Bloxwich, I can take up cases on their behalf.

“There is so much to do. We have a good manifesto, but there’s also a lot going on in the world and people are troubled. We’ve got to make sure that, as people who are representing them in a leadership role, that we make people feel secure and feel that they can carry on with their lives.”

Before becoming a politician, Mrs Vaz’s career had many facets. She studied biochemistry, qualified as a solicitor and set up a community law firm. She even worked as a TV presenter for the BBC in the late eighties.

She started her political career in London, working as a councillor in the 1980s. During her time she has served in shadow cabinets for Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer.

One of her successes was the introduction of equal leave arrangements for adoptive parents. She worked with ministers to increase parental leave for those who adopt to be in line with standard leave.

Mrs Vaz has also served on several committees, including the Health Select Committee and the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

To get in touch with Valerie Vaz, you can visit her constituency office on Lichfield Street, Walsall, or email her at valerie.vaz.mp@parliament.uk.

Report by Local Democracy Reporter Rachel Alexander