Hazel Blears is the MP for Salford, the city where she was born, grew up. Her father was an engineering union shop steward and her mother was a secretary for the electricians’ union. Hazel joined her union before the Labour Party, and was a union branch officer for NALGO, representing workers in local government.

Hazel has been a strong supporter of the trade union movement as a Labour Minister, for example supporting the GMB’s campaign for safety for workers in the security industry, and USDAW’s ‘respect for shop workers’ campaign.

As Chair of the Party, Hazel has provided a strong lead on the Warwick Agenda, provided a new impetus to the process of delivering and progress-chasing Warwick, and was delighted when TULO acknowledged that over half the Warwick Agenda has now been delivered. She also pushed hard on the issue of fast-track compensation for victims of mesothelioma.

Hazel is standing for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party on a platform of ‘building on success’: acknowledging that the Labour Government has delivered important improvements for working people such as the national minimum wage, extra holidays, extended maternity leave and paternity leave, and the right to join a union.

She wants to take the Labour agenda forward – to end poverty and unemployment, increase life opportunities for working people, and to banish waiting lists from the NHS.

Hazel Blears is a member of USDAW.

Hazel says:

‘During this election we must build our party and energise our supporters. We must speak directly to the British people about our ideas for change, and how to make their lives better.

I want us to emerge stronger than before, and ready to take on the Tories. My pitch for the job is simple: I see the role of deputy as being Labour's campaigner-in-chief, as the voice of the members at the heart of government, and as the minister responsible for delivering the Labour manifesto.

For me, it's not about being deputy prime minister, or the trappings of high office. It's about helping decent working people fulfill their ambitions. It's about getting stuck into Tory policy, and taking it to bits. Above all, it’s about campaigning for Labour.’

Read my statement on why trade union members should vote for me

Read my biography

Read my responses to the UnionsTogether Election Survey

View my UnionsTogether TV Interview