Brexit rebel and Starmer ally recognised in Birthday Honours

Brexit rebel and Starmer ally recognised in Birthday Honours - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments A prominent Labour MP and close associate of Sir Keir Starmer has been appointed a Dame in the King’s Birthday Honours, alongside knighthoods for two former senior Conservative figures and political diarist Chris Mullin. Jessica Morden, who chairs the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), received the damehood after two decades representing Newport East. Describing herself as "mostly a backroom girl", Dame Jessica served as general secretary of Welsh Labour from 1999 until her election to Parliament in 2005. During Labour's time in opposition, she acted as Sir Keir’s parliamentary aide and is considered a key ally. She assumed the role of PLP chairwoman – often dubbed the "shop steward" for Labour MPs – following the 2024 general election. Reacting to her damehood, she said: “It’s clearly been its own reward and privilege to be the MP for Newport East for the past 21 years. “However, it’s very kind to be acknowledged for the work that I’ve done in the Labour Party over the last 35 years, much of it behind the scenes.” Among the other political awards this year were knighthoods for former Conservative MPs David Gauke and Greg Hands. Sir David served as a Cabinet minister under Theresa May, including as justice secretary, but was suspended by Boris Johnson after rebelling over Brexit and subsequently lost his seat in the 2019 general election. But it is his work on the independent sentencing review commissioned by the current Government that has seen him made a knight. Sir David’s review recommended an overhaul of the justice system to avoid repeated crises in prison capacity, including scrapping most jail sentences of under 12 months and a greater use of community sentences. Telling PA it was “literally an honour”, Sir David said: “It reflects the work of the independent sentencing review and I think, to be fair, a lot of credit goes to the other panel members and the officials who worked on the project. “Ultimately, we produced a serious piece of work that looked at the evidence and brought forward a set of proposals that have largely been implemented, helping make sure we don’t have a prison crisis in the way that we did a few months ago.” Also included in this year’s honours list was former Labour minister Chris Mullin, who becomes a knight. Sir Chris, 78, was MP for Sunderland South from 1987 until 2010, serving as a junior minister under Sir Tony Blair and later publishing a bestselling series of his diaries from the time. He is also the author of four novels, including A Very British Coup, which portrays the undermining of a left-wing government, and previously worked as a journalist for ITV, playing a key role in securing the release of the Birmingham Six. Sir Chris told PA: “At this late stage in my life, I am grateful for any sliver of recognition that comes my way.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments