12 Facts About Marie Rimmer

Marie Rimmer has previously been a local councillor for St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council in Merseyside, England, and has served as Labour leader of the council three times between 1978 and 2014.

Marie Rimmer was born on 27 April 1947, and grew up in St Helens.

In 1986, Marie Rimmer debated against the unfriendly take-over bid from BTR Industries, arguing that the loss of local control of the company would greatly harm St Helens.

In 1993, Marie Rimmer stepped down as Labour leader of the council and returned to Pilkington Glass as a health and safety advisor, until retiring from the position following the 1999 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election, where she became Labour leader of the council for the second time.

Marie Rimmer was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2005 Birthday Honours for services to local government.

Marie Rimmer became leader of the council for a third time following the 2010 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election.

Marie Rimmer criticised the then outgoing administration, led by Liberal Democrats leader Brian Spencer, for driving people away from the town centre after their implementation of car parking charges in some areas of St Helens.

Marie Rimmer's leadership ended following the 2014 St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council election where despite winning a large Labour majority, Rimmer was replaced by her deputy, Barrie Grunewald, in May 2013 after a 22 to 18 vote of the Labour group on the council.

Marie Rimmer's case was later found not proven at Glasgow Sheriff Court in November 2016.

Marie Rimmer was appointed Shadow Minister for Disabled People on 1 February 2017 but decided to step down from the role in October the same year.

Marie Rimmer endorsed Keir Starmer in the 2020 Labour Party leadership election.

Marie Rimmer has a sister, Marlene Mary Quinn, who ran as a councillor in St Helens as recently as 2019.