For press enquiries, please contact Sarah MacKinlay on +44 (0) 7956443393
I entered the European Parliament in 2000, following three decades of involvement in Labour politics and the women’s movement. Since becoming an MEP, I have built upon previous political achievements, contributing to advances for women’s rights and culture in particular.
I have been the Socialist and Democrat lead on Culture and Education since I was elected in 2009. Since then I have helped secure numerous important advances, including measures to tackle child safety online and steps to broaden employment and learning opportunities for Europe’s youth. I also act as Labour spokesperson for women’s rights and gender equality, a cause that has long been a focus of my work.
Prior to becoming an MEP, I worked in the charity and non-governmental sector. After gaining a history degree from Oxford University, I joined the Greater London Council, before moving on to work within the union movement. I subsequently took on several roles within the voluntary and charitable sector, working as a Senior Manager for Scope, leading Gingerbread, the lone parents’ charity, and serving as General Secretary of the Association of Chief Officers of Probation.
Throughout this time, I was also heavily involved in London politics. I spent eight years on Barnet Borough Council, chaired the London Labour Party’s Women Committee, and spent three years as Treasurer of Emily’s List, an organisation which helped women secure seats in Parliament.
