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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Distinguish|Joe Stevens}}
{{Distinguish|Joe Stevens}}
{{Redirect|Joanna Stevens|an American interior designer, whose maiden name is Joanna Stevens|Joanna Gaines}}
{{Redirect|Joanna Stevens|the American interior designer, whose maiden name is Joanna Stevens|Joanna Gaines}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[The Right Honourable]]
| name = Jo Stevens
| name = Jo Stevens
| honorific-suffix = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]]
| honorific-suffix = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]]
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| primeminister1 = [[Keir Starmer]]
| primeminister1 = [[Keir Starmer]]
| term_start1 = 5 July 2024
| term_start1 = 5 July 2024
| term_end1 =
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = [[David TC Davies]]
| predecessor1 = [[David T. C. Davies]]
{{collapsed infobox section begin
⚫
| office2 = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Wales]]
⚫
| last = yes
| [[Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet (United Kingdom)|Shadow Ministerial]] Roles
|titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey }}
{{Infobox officeholder
⚫
| embed = yes
⚫
| office = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Wales]]
⚫
| leader = [[Keir Starmer]]
⚫
| term_start = 29 November 2021
⚫
| term_end = 5 July 2024
⚫
| predecessor = [[Nia Griffith]]
| successor = [[Byron Davies|The Baron Davies of Gower]]
⚫
| leader1 = [[Jeremy Corbyn]]
⚫
| term_start1 = 7 October 2016
⚫
| term_end1 = 27 January 2017
⚫
| predecessor1 = [[Paul Flynn (politician)|Paul Flynn]]
| successor1 = [[Christina Rees]]
⚫
| office2 = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport]]
| leader2 = [[Keir Starmer]]
| leader2 = [[Keir Starmer]]
| term_start2 = 29 November 2021
| term_start2 = 6 April 2020
| term_end2 = 5 July 2024
| term_end2 = 29 November 2021
| predecessor2 = [[Nia Griffith]]
| predecessor2 = [[Tracy Brabin]]
⚫
| successor2 = [[Lucy Powell]]
⚫
| office3 = [[Solicitor General for England and Wales|Shadow Solicitor General for England and Wales]]
| leader3 = [[Jeremy Corbyn]]
| leader3 = [[Jeremy Corbyn]]
| term_start3 = 7 October 2016
| term_start3 = 13 January 2016
| term_end3 = 27 January 2017
| term_end3 = 6 October 2016
| predecessor3 = [[Paul Flynn (politician)|Paul Flynn]]
| predecessor3 = [[Karl Turner (British politician)|Karl Turner]]
| successor3 = [[Christina Rees]]
| successor3 = [[Nick Thomas-Symonds]]
}}
⚫
| office4 = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport]]
{{collapsed infobox section end}}
⚫
| leader4 = [[Keir Starmer]]

| term_start4 = 6 April 2020
⚫
| office6 = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Cardiff East]]<br />{{nobold|[[Cardiff Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff Central]] (2015–2024)}}
⚫
| term_end4 = 29 November 2021
| predecessor4 = [[Tracy Brabin]]
| term_start6 = 7 May 2015
| successor4 = [[Lucy Powell]]
| predecessor6 = [[Jenny Willott]]
| majority6 = 9,097 (23.3%)
⚫
| office5 = [[Solicitor General for England and Wales|Shadow Solicitor General for England and Wales]]
⚫
| leader5 = [[Jeremy Corbyn]]
⚫
| term_start5 = 13 January 2016
⚫
| term_end5 = 6 October 2016
⚫
| predecessor5 = [[Karl Turner (British politician)|Karl Turner]]
⚫
| successor5 = [[Nick Thomas-Symonds]]
| office6 = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Cardiff East (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff East]]
⚫
| term_start6 = 5 July 2024
| predecessor6 = ''Constituency Created''
⚫
| majority6 = 9,097
⚫
| office7 = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Cardiff Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff Central]]
| term_start7 = 7 May 2015
⚫
| term_end7 = 5 July 2024
⚫
| predecessor7 = [[Jenny Willott]]
| successor7 = ''Constituency Abolished''
| birthname = Joanna Meriel Stevens
| birthname = Joanna Meriel Stevens
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|09|06|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|09|06|df=y}}
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}}
}}


'''Joanna Meriel Stevens'''<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=61230 |date=18 May 2015|page=9127}}</ref> (born 6 September 1966)<ref>{{cite web |title= Jo Stevens MP |url= http://myparliament.info/Member/4425 |website= myparliament.info |publisher= MyParliament |access-date= 11 August 2017 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170811103918/http://myparliament.info/Member/4425 |archive-date= 11 August 2017 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> is a Welsh politician serving as [[Secretary of State for Wales]] since 2024. A member of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], she has been a [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) since 2015, representing [[Cardiff East (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff East]] since 2024, having previously represented [[Cardiff Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff Central]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/W07000050 | title=Cardiff Central Parliamentary constituency | publisher=BBC | access-date=8 May 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508044124/http://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/W07000050 | archive-date=8 May 2015 | df=dmy-all | work=BBC News }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Cardiff East - General election results 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/W07000089 |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
'''Joanna Meriel Stevens'''<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=61230 |date=18 May 2015|page=9127}}</ref> (born 6 September 1966)<ref>{{cite web |title= Jo Stevens MP |url= http://myparliament.info/Member/4425 |website= myparliament.info |publisher= MyParliament |access-date= 11 August 2017 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170811103918/http://myparliament.info/Member/4425 |archive-date= 11 August 2017 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> is a Welsh politician serving as [[Secretary of State for Wales]] since 2024. A member of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], she has been a [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) since 2015, representing [[Cardiff East]] since 2024, having previously represented [[Cardiff Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff Central]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/W07000050 | title=Cardiff Central Parliamentary constituency | publisher=BBC | access-date=8 May 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508044124/http://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/W07000050 | archive-date=8 May 2015 | df=dmy-all | work=BBC News }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Cardiff East – General election results 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/W07000089 |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>


Stevens previously served as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales from 2016 to 2017, and before 2024, and was [[Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport]] from 2020 to 2021.
Stevens previously served as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales from 2016 to 2017, and again from 2021 to 2024, and was [[Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport]] from 2020 to 2021.


==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
Stevens was born in [[Swansea]], [[West Glamorgan]], [[Wales]] and grew up in [[Mynydd Isa, Flintshire|Mynydd Isa]], [[Flintshire]], where she attended [[Argoed High School]] and [[Elfed High School]].<ref name=democracy>{{cite web | url=http://cv.democracyclub.org.uk/show_cv/4293 | title=Democracy Club CVs | publisher=Democracy Club | access-date=8 May 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518105330/http://cv.democracyclub.org.uk/show_cv/4293 | archive-date=18 May 2015 | df=dmy-all }}{{failed verification |date = December 2022}}</ref>
Stevens was born in [[Swansea]], [[West Glamorgan]], [[Wales]] and grew up in [[Mynydd Isa]], [[Flintshire]], where she attended [[Argoed High School]] and [[Elfed High School]].<ref name=democracy>{{cite web | url=http://cv.democracyclub.org.uk/show_cv/4293 | title=Democracy Club CVs | publisher=Democracy Club | access-date=8 May 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518105330/http://cv.democracyclub.org.uk/show_cv/4293 | archive-date=18 May 2015 | df=dmy-all }}{{failed verification |date = December 2022}}</ref>


She studied [[law]] at [[Victoria University of Manchester|Manchester University]] and completed the Solicitors' Professional Examination at [[Manchester Polytechnic]] in 1989.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jostevens.co.uk/about | title=Jo Stevens – About | publisher=Jo Stevens MP | access-date=8 May 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510193253/http://www.jostevens.co.uk/about | archive-date=10 May 2015 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
She studied [[law]] at [[Victoria University of Manchester|Manchester University]] and completed the Solicitors' Professional Examination at [[Manchester Polytechnic]] in 1989.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jostevens.co.uk/about | title=Jo Stevens – About | publisher=Jo Stevens MP | access-date=8 May 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510193253/http://www.jostevens.co.uk/about | archive-date=10 May 2015 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>


Prior to becoming an MP, Stevens was People and Organisation Director of [[Thompsons Solicitors]].<ref name=democracy />
Before becoming an MP, Stevens was People and Organisation Director of [[Thompsons Solicitors]].<ref name=democracy />


==Member of Parliament ==
==Member of Parliament==
Stevens was elected as MP for [[Cardiff Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff Central]] on 7 May 2015 with a majority of 4,981, defeating incumbent Liberal Democrat MP [[Jenny Willott]].<ref name=bbc />
Stevens was elected as MP for [[Cardiff Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff Central]] on 7 May 2015 with a majority of 4,981, defeating incumbent Liberal Democrat MP [[Jenny Willott]].<ref name=bbc />


In 2014 she accused her then Liberal Democrat opponent Jenny Willott of having “neglected her constituency” by taking a ministerial role.<ref>{{cite news |author=ITV News |url=http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2014-11-04/willotts-resignation-is-shameful-admission-says-labour/ |title=Cardiff MP Jenny Willott quits government role |publisher=ITV News |date=2014-11-04 |accessdate=2018-12-21}}</ref> In a 2015 interview Stevens said that, if elected, she'd be “happy as a backbench MP” adding she was “not a professional politician.”<ref>{{cite news |author=David Deans |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/general-election-2015-meet-women-8968066 |title=General Election 2015: Meet the women set to vie for one of Wales' tightest marginals |publisher=WalesOnline |date=2015-04-05 |accessdate=2018-12-21}}</ref> Stevens later went on to serve in the shadow cabinets of Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer.
In 2014 she accused her then Liberal Democrat opponent Jenny Willott of having "neglected her constituency" by taking a ministerial role.<ref>{{cite news |author=ITV News |url=http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2014-11-04/willotts-resignation-is-shameful-admission-says-labour/ |title=Cardiff MP Jenny Willott quits government role |publisher=ITV News |date=2014-11-04 |accessdate=2018-12-21}}</ref> In a 2015 interview Stevens said that, if elected, she'd be "happy as a backbench MP" adding she was "not a professional politician."<ref>{{cite news |author=David Deans |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/general-election-2015-meet-women-8968066 |title=General Election 2015: Meet the women set to vie for one of Wales' tightest marginals |publisher=WalesOnline |date=2015-04-05 |accessdate=2018-12-21}}</ref> Stevens later went on to serve in the shadow cabinets of Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer.


In [[Jeremy Corbyn]]'s January 2016 reshuffle, she was appointed shadow [[Solicitor General for England and Wales|solicitor general]] and shadow [[Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)|justice minister]]. She supported [[Owen Smith]] in the [[2016 Labour Party leadership election (UK)|2016 Labour Party leadership election]]. In the October 2016 reshuffle, after Corbyn's re-election as party leader, Stevens became [[Shadow Secretary of State for Wales]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-politics-37572198|title=As it happened: Steven Woolfe in hospital and Labour reshuffle|date=6 October 2016|newspaper=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=6 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007204723/http://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-politics-37572198|archive-date=7 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> An opponent of [[Brexit]], she resigned as a shadow minister on 27 January 2017 in order to vote against triggering [[Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union]], in defiance of a [[three-line whip]] that obliged Labour MPs to vote in favour.<ref>{{cite web|last=Elgot|first=Jessica|title=Labour MP Jo Stevens quits shadow cabinet over article 50 vote|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/27/labour-mp-jo-stevens-quits-shadow-cabinet-over-article-50-vote|work=The Guardian|date=27 January 2017|access-date=27 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127153230/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/27/labour-mp-jo-stevens-quits-shadow-cabinet-over-article-50-vote|archive-date=27 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In March 2019, Stevens voted against the Labour Party whip and in favour of an amendment tabled by members of [[The Independent Group]] for a second public vote on Brexit.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mosalski |first1=Ruth |title=Brexit latest: The Welsh MPs who voted for a second referendum |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-latest-welsh-mps-who-15976568 |website=Wales Online|date=14 March 2019 }}</ref>
In [[Jeremy Corbyn]]'s January 2016 reshuffle, she was appointed shadow [[Solicitor General for England and Wales|solicitor general]] and shadow [[Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)|justice minister]]. She supported [[Owen Smith]] in the [[2016 Labour Party leadership election (UK)|2016 Labour leadership election]]. In the October 2016 reshuffle, after Corbyn's re-election as party leader, Stevens became [[Shadow Secretary of State for Wales]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-politics-37572198|title=As it happened: Steven Woolfe in hospital and Labour reshuffle|date=6 October 2016|newspaper=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=6 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007204723/http://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-politics-37572198|archive-date=7 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> An opponent of [[Brexit]], she resigned as a shadow minister on 27 January 2017 in order to vote against triggering [[Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union]], in defiance of a [[three-line whip]] that obliged Labour MPs to vote in favour.<ref>{{cite web|last=Elgot|first=Jessica|title=Labour MP Jo Stevens quits shadow cabinet over article 50 vote|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/27/labour-mp-jo-stevens-quits-shadow-cabinet-over-article-50-vote|work=The Guardian|date=27 January 2017|access-date=27 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127153230/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/27/labour-mp-jo-stevens-quits-shadow-cabinet-over-article-50-vote|archive-date=27 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In March 2019, Stevens voted against the Labour Party whip and in favour of an amendment tabled by members of [[The Independent Group]] for a second public vote on Brexit.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mosalski |first1=Ruth |title=Brexit latest: The Welsh MPs who voted for a second referendum |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-latest-welsh-mps-who-15976568 |website=Wales Online|date=14 March 2019 }}</ref>


Stevens chairs the [[GMB (trade union)|GMB]] parliamentary group, which ensures that issues of importance to members of the GMB trade union are raised in the House of Commons.
Stevens chairs the [[GMB (trade union)|GMB]] parliamentary group, which ensures that issues of importance to members of the GMB trade union are raised in the House of Commons.


Stevens supported [[Keir Starmer]] in the [[2020 Labour Party leadership election (UK)|2020 Labour Party leadership election]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jostevens.co.uk/my-nomination-for-the-next-labour-leader/|title=My nomination for the next Labour Leader {{!}} Jo Stevens MP|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-51092154|title=Labour leadership: Who are Welsh MPs backing?|date=2020-01-13|work=BBC News|access-date=2020-03-12|language=en-GB}}</ref> He subsequently appointed her [[Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport]], shadowing [[Oliver Dowden]]. On 29 November 2021, she was reshuffled back to the position of [[Shadow Secretary of State for Wales]] by Keir Starmer.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1465316920018841604|access-date=29 November 2021|title=I'm moving Shadow Cabinet jobs from DCMS to Wales.|user=JoStevensLabour|last=Stevens|first=Jo|date=29 November 2021}}</ref>
Stevens supported [[Keir Starmer]] in the [[2020 Labour Party leadership election (UK)|2020 Labour leadership election]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jostevens.co.uk/my-nomination-for-the-next-labour-leader/|title=My nomination for the next Labour Leader {{!}} Jo Stevens MP|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-51092154|title=Labour leadership: Who are Welsh MPs backing?|date=2020-01-13|work=BBC News|access-date=2020-03-12|language=en-GB}}</ref> He subsequently appointed her [[Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport]], shadowing [[Oliver Dowden]]. On 29 November 2021, she was reshuffled back to the position of [[Shadow Secretary of State for Wales]] by Keir Starmer.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1465316920018841604|access-date=29 November 2021|title=I'm moving Shadow Cabinet jobs from DCMS to Wales.|user=JoStevensLabour|last=Stevens|first=Jo|date=29 November 2021}}</ref>


In 2023, Stevens' office was defaced by protestors after she abstained on a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. She described the incident as 'intimidating'.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-17 |title=Labour MP Jo Stevens's office vandalised after Gaza vote |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-67430773 |access-date=2024-05-29 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2023, Stevens' office was defaced by protestors after she abstained on a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. She described the incident as 'intimidating'.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-17 |title=Labour MP Jo Stevens's office vandalised after Gaza vote |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-67430773 |access-date=2024-05-29 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>


In the [[2024 United Kingdom general election]], she was selected to contest the new [[Cardiff East (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff East]] constituency, after [[Cardiff Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff Central]] was abolished.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Cardiff East Constituency Candidates - General Election 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/W07000089 |access-date=2024-06-20 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> She won the seat, with a majority of 9,097 votes.<ref name=":0" /> Stevens was appointed [[Secretary of State for Wales]] in the [[Starmer ministry|first cabinet of Keir Starmer]] following the 2024 election.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-07-05/who-is-the-new-welsh-secretary |title=Who is the new Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens? |publisher=ITV |work=ITV News |date=5 July 2024 |accessdate=7 July 2024}}</ref>
In the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], she was selected to contest the new [[Cardiff East]] constituency, after [[Cardiff Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff Central]] was abolished.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Cardiff East Constituency Candidates – General Election 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/W07000089 |access-date=2024-06-20 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> She won the seat, with a majority of 9,097 votes.<ref name=":0" /> Stevens was appointed [[Secretary of State for Wales]] in the [[Starmer ministry|first cabinet of Keir Starmer]] following the 2024 election.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-07-05/who-is-the-new-welsh-secretary |title=Who is the new Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens? |publisher=ITV |work=ITV News |date=5 July 2024 |accessdate=7 July 2024}}</ref>

Stevens was sworn of the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council]] on 10 July 2024, entitling her to be styled "[[The Right Honourable]]" for life.<ref name="PC-10July24">{{cite web |title=List of Business – 10 July 2024 |url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-07-10-List-of-Business.pdf |publisher=Privy Council Office |access-date=11 July 2024 |date=10 July 2024}}</ref>


==Political positions==
==Political positions==
Stevens is a [[Unionism in the United Kingdom|unionist]].<ref>{{cite web|date=15 February 2022|title='I don't like nationalism', because it's 'insular' says Shadow Welsh Secretary|url=https://nation.cymru/news/i-dont-like-nationalism-because-its-insular-says-shadow-welsh-secretary/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=18 June 2024|work=Nation.Cymru}}</ref> She has opposed [[devolution of policing and justice]],<ref>{{cite web|date=18 June 2024|title=Labour won't 'fiddle' with police powers - Stevens|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq557jee25qo|author-last=Deans|author-first=David|access-date=18 June 2024|work=BBC News}}</ref> of [[Gender Recognition Act 2004|legal gender recognition]],<ref>{{cite web|date=17 February 2023|title=Welsh shadow minister accused of undermining devolution|url=https://nation.cymru/news/welsh-shadow-minister-accused-of-undermining-devolution/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=18 June 2024|work=Nation.Cymru}}</ref> and full devolution of the post-Brexit [[Proposed further Welsh devolution#Shared Prosperity Fund|Shared Prosperity Fund]] to the Senedd.<ref>{{cite web|date=14 June 2024|title=UK would partly control Wales Brexit cash - Labour|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1009ydz58no|author-last=Deans|author-first=David|access-date=18 June 2024|work=BBC News}}</ref>
Stevens is a [[Unionism in the United Kingdom|unionist]].<ref>{{cite web|date=15 February 2022|title='I don't like nationalism', because it's 'insular' says Shadow Welsh Secretary|url=https://nation.cymru/news/i-dont-like-nationalism-because-its-insular-says-shadow-welsh-secretary/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=18 June 2024|work=Nation.Cymru}}</ref> She has opposed [[devolution of policing and justice]],<ref>{{cite web|date=18 June 2024|title=Labour won't 'fiddle' with police powers – Stevens|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq557jee25qo|author-last=Deans|author-first=David|access-date=18 June 2024|work=BBC News}}</ref> of [[Gender Recognition Act 2004|legal gender recognition]],<ref>{{cite web|date=17 February 2023|title=Welsh shadow minister accused of undermining devolution|url=https://nation.cymru/news/welsh-shadow-minister-accused-of-undermining-devolution/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=18 June 2024|work=Nation.Cymru}}</ref> and full devolution of the post-Brexit [[Proposed further Welsh devolution#Shared Prosperity Fund|Shared Prosperity Fund]] to the Senedd.<ref>{{cite web|date=14 June 2024|title=UK would partly control Wales Brexit cash – Labour|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1009ydz58no|author-last=Deans|author-first=David|access-date=18 June 2024|work=BBC News}}</ref>


She opposed [[Brexit]], describing herself as a "passionate European" in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|date=27 January 2017|title=Jo Stevens quits shadow cabinet over Corbyn's Brexit stance|url=https://news.sky.com/story/jo-stevens-member-of-shadow-cabinet-resigns-over-corbyns-brexit-stance-10744883|author-last=Cohen|author-first=Tamara|access-date=18 June 2024|work=Sky News}}</ref> She has called for the introduction of legislation penalising social media companies that fail to tackle disinformation.<ref>{{cite web|date=15 November 2020|title=Social media firms must face sanction for 'anti-vax content', demands Labour|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/15/social-media-firms-must-face-sanction-for-anti-vax-content-demands-labour|author-last=Helm|author-first=Toby|access-date=18 June 2024|work=The Guardian}}</ref> She has supported introducing [[automatic voter registration]] upon receiving a [[national insurance number]] and lowering of the [[voting age]] to 16.<ref>{{cite web|date=15 November 2017|title=A Welsh MP is bidding to make a law to automatically register everyone to vote|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/welsh-mp-bidding-make-law-13901416|author-last=Williamson|author-first=David|access-date=18 June 2024|work=Wales Online}}</ref>
She opposed [[Brexit]], describing herself as a "passionate European" in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|date=27 January 2017|title=Jo Stevens quits shadow cabinet over Corbyn's Brexit stance|url=https://news.sky.com/story/jo-stevens-member-of-shadow-cabinet-resigns-over-corbyns-brexit-stance-10744883|author-last=Cohen|author-first=Tamara|access-date=18 June 2024|work=Sky News}}</ref> She has called for the introduction of legislation penalising social media companies that fail to tackle disinformation.<ref>{{cite web|date=15 November 2020|title=Social media firms must face sanction for 'anti-vax content', demands Labour|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/15/social-media-firms-must-face-sanction-for-anti-vax-content-demands-labour|author-last=Helm|author-first=Toby|access-date=18 June 2024|work=The Guardian}}</ref> She has supported introducing [[automatic voter registration]] upon receiving a [[national insurance number]] and lowering of the [[voting age]] to 16.<ref>{{cite web|date=15 November 2017|title=A Welsh MP is bidding to make a law to automatically register everyone to vote|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/welsh-mp-bidding-make-law-13901416|author-last=Williamson|author-first=David|access-date=18 June 2024|work=Wales Online}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
In January 2021 Stevens was treated in hospital for [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/jo-stevens-labours-shadow-culture-secretary-being-treated-in-hospital-for-covid-19-12177962|title=Jo Stevens: Labour's shadow culture secretary in hospital with COVID-19|work=Sky News|date=2 January 2021|access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref>
In January 2021 Stevens was treated in hospital for [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/jo-stevens-labours-shadow-culture-secretary-being-treated-in-hospital-for-covid-19-12177962|title=Jo Stevens: Labour's shadow culture secretary in hospital with COVID-19|work=Sky News|date=2 January 2021|access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Cardiff Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Cardiff Central]]|years=[[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015]]–[[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]]}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Shadow Secretary of State for Wales]]|years=2016–2017}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Secretary of State for Wales]]|years=2024–present}}
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[[Category:Secretaries of State for Wales]]
[[Category:Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East]]
[[Category:Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East]]
[[Category:Female members of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Female members of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Women government ministers in the United Kingdom]]

Latest revision as of 08:07, 29 November 2024

Not to be confused with Joe Stevens.
"Joanna Stevens" redirects here. For the American interior designer, whose maiden name is Joanna Stevens, see Joanna Gaines.
The Right Honourable
Jo Stevens
MP
Official portrait, 2024
Secretary of State for Wales
Incumbent
Assumed office
5 July 2024
Prime MinisterKeir Starmer
Preceded byDavid T. C. Davies
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
In office
29 November 2021 – 5 July 2024
LeaderKeir Starmer
Preceded byNia Griffith
Succeeded byThe Baron Davies of Gower
In office
7 October 2016 – 27 January 2017
LeaderJeremy Corbyn
Preceded byPaul Flynn
Succeeded byChristina Rees
Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
In office
6 April 2020 – 29 November 2021
LeaderKeir Starmer
Preceded byTracy Brabin
Succeeded byLucy Powell
Shadow Solicitor General for England and Wales
In office
13 January 2016 – 6 October 2016
LeaderJeremy Corbyn
Preceded byKarl Turner
Succeeded byNick Thomas-Symonds
Member of Parliament
for Cardiff East
Cardiff Central (2015–2024)
Incumbent
Assumed office
7 May 2015
Preceded byJenny Willott
Majority9,097 (23.3%)
Personal details
Born
Joanna Meriel Stevens

(1966-09-06) 6 September 1966 (age 58)
Swansea, Wales
Political partyLabour
Alma materUniversity of Manchester
Manchester Metropolitan
University
Websitewww.jostevens.co.uk Edit this at Wikidata

Joanna Meriel Stevens[1] (born 6 September 1966)[2] is a Welsh politician serving as Secretary of State for Wales since 2024. A member of the Labour Party, she has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 2015, representing Cardiff East since 2024, having previously represented Cardiff Central.[3][4]

Stevens previously served as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales from 2016 to 2017, and again from 2021 to 2024, and was Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from 2020 to 2021.

Early life and career

[edit]

Stevens was born in Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales and grew up in Mynydd Isa, Flintshire, where she attended Argoed High School and Elfed High School.[5]

She studied law at Manchester University and completed the Solicitors' Professional Examination at Manchester Polytechnic in 1989.[6]

Before becoming an MP, Stevens was People and Organisation Director of Thompsons Solicitors.[5]

Member of Parliament

[edit]

Stevens was elected as MP for Cardiff Central on 7 May 2015 with a majority of 4,981, defeating incumbent Liberal Democrat MP Jenny Willott.[3]

In 2014 she accused her then Liberal Democrat opponent Jenny Willott of having "neglected her constituency" by taking a ministerial role.[7] In a 2015 interview Stevens said that, if elected, she'd be "happy as a backbench MP" adding she was "not a professional politician."[8] Stevens later went on to serve in the shadow cabinets of Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer.

In Jeremy Corbyn's January 2016 reshuffle, she was appointed shadow solicitor general and shadow justice minister. She supported Owen Smith in the 2016 Labour leadership election. In the October 2016 reshuffle, after Corbyn's re-election as party leader, Stevens became Shadow Secretary of State for Wales.[9] An opponent of Brexit, she resigned as a shadow minister on 27 January 2017 in order to vote against triggering Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, in defiance of a three-line whip that obliged Labour MPs to vote in favour.[10] In March 2019, Stevens voted against the Labour Party whip and in favour of an amendment tabled by members of The Independent Group for a second public vote on Brexit.[11]

Stevens chairs the GMB parliamentary group, which ensures that issues of importance to members of the GMB trade union are raised in the House of Commons.

Stevens supported Keir Starmer in the 2020 Labour leadership election.[12][13] He subsequently appointed her Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, shadowing Oliver Dowden. On 29 November 2021, she was reshuffled back to the position of Shadow Secretary of State for Wales by Keir Starmer.[14]

In 2023, Stevens' office was defaced by protestors after she abstained on a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. She described the incident as 'intimidating'.[15]

In the 2024 general election, she was selected to contest the new Cardiff East constituency, after Cardiff Central was abolished.[16] She won the seat, with a majority of 9,097 votes.[4] Stevens was appointed Secretary of State for Wales in the first cabinet of Keir Starmer following the 2024 election.[17]

Stevens was sworn of the Privy Council on 10 July 2024, entitling her to be styled "The Right Honourable" for life.[18]

Political positions

[edit]

Stevens is a unionist.[19] She has opposed devolution of policing and justice,[20] of legal gender recognition,[21] and full devolution of the post-Brexit Shared Prosperity Fund to the Senedd.[22]

She opposed Brexit, describing herself as a "passionate European" in 2017.[23] She has called for the introduction of legislation penalising social media companies that fail to tackle disinformation.[24] She has supported introducing automatic voter registration upon receiving a national insurance number and lowering of the voting age to 16.[25]

Personal life

[edit]

In January 2021 Stevens was treated in hospital for COVID-19.[26]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "No. 61230". The London Gazette. 18 May 2015. p. 9127.
  2. ^ "Jo Stevens MP". myparliament.info. MyParliament. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Cardiff Central Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Cardiff East – General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Democracy Club CVs". Democracy Club. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.[failed verification]
  6. ^ "Jo Stevens – About". Jo Stevens MP. Archived from the original on 10 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  7. ^ ITV News (4 November 2014). "Cardiff MP Jenny Willott quits government role". ITV News. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  8. ^ David Deans (5 April 2015). "General Election 2015: Meet the women set to vie for one of Wales' tightest marginals". WalesOnline. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  9. ^ "As it happened: Steven Woolfe in hospital and Labour reshuffle". BBC News. 6 October 2016. Archived from the original on 7 October 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  10. ^ Elgot, Jessica (27 January 2017). "Labour MP Jo Stevens quits shadow cabinet over article 50 vote". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  11. ^ Mosalski, Ruth (14 March 2019). "Brexit latest: The Welsh MPs who voted for a second referendum". Wales Online.
  12. ^ "My nomination for the next Labour Leader | Jo Stevens MP". Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  13. ^ "Labour leadership: Who are Welsh MPs backing?". BBC News. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  14. ^ Stevens, Jo [@JoStevensLabour] (29 November 2021). "I'm moving Shadow Cabinet jobs from DCMS to Wales" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 November 2021 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ "Labour MP Jo Stevens's office vandalised after Gaza vote". BBC News. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Cardiff East Constituency Candidates – General Election 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  17. ^ "Who is the new Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens?". ITV News. ITV. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  18. ^ "List of Business – 10 July 2024" (PDF). Privy Council Office. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  19. ^ "'I don't like nationalism', because it's 'insular' says Shadow Welsh Secretary". Nation.Cymru. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  20. ^ Deans, David (18 June 2024). "Labour won't 'fiddle' with police powers – Stevens". BBC News. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Welsh shadow minister accused of undermining devolution". Nation.Cymru. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  22. ^ Deans, David (14 June 2024). "UK would partly control Wales Brexit cash – Labour". BBC News. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  23. ^ Cohen, Tamara (27 January 2017). "Jo Stevens quits shadow cabinet over Corbyn's Brexit stance". Sky News. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  24. ^ Helm, Toby (15 November 2020). "Social media firms must face sanction for 'anti-vax content', demands Labour". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  25. ^ Williamson, David (15 November 2017). "A Welsh MP is bidding to make a law to automatically register everyone to vote". Wales Online. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Jo Stevens: Labour's shadow culture secretary in hospital with COVID-19". Sky News. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jo Stevens.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Cardiff Central
2015–2024 		Succeeded by
Constituency abolished
Preceded by
New constituency
 Member of Parliament
for Cardiff East
2024–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Shadow Solicitor General for England and Wales
2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
2016–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
2020–2021 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
2021–2024 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Secretary of State for Wales
2024–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Jo_Stevens&oldid=1260174543"