Dr. Phyllis Starkey MP

Before entering Parliament, Dr Starkey had a double career as a distinguished research scientist and as a politician in both local and national politics. Dr Starkey qualified as a biochemist and followed a career in medical research, leading her own research group in Oxford. She won a seat on Oxford City Council, was Chair of Finance for six years, and Council leader for three. From 1993-19977, she was the National Chair of the Local Government Information Unit, which represents over 120 Councils across the country. Dr Starkey has held a number of important Parliamentary posts since she was elected in 1997: Between 1999-2001 Dr Starkey was a member of the Modernisation of the House of Commons Select Committee; in 2002 she became PPS to Denis MacShane, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; in 2005, Dr. Starkey was made Chair of the Select Committee for Communities and Local Government - a post she still holds.