20 Facts About Melanie Johnson

Melanie Jane Johnson was born on 5 February 1955 and is a Labour politician in the United Kingdom.

Melanie Johnson was a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2005 and served as a minister in the government of Tony Blair.

Melanie Johnson attended the Independent Clifton High School in Clifton, Bristol.

Melanie Johnson was Assistant General Manager in Quality Assurance for Cambridge Family Health Service Authority from 1990 to 1992.

In 1994 Melanie Johnson unsuccessfully stood for Labour in the Cambridgeshire seat at the European Parliamentary election.

Melanie Johnson was first elected in the 1997 election overturning a majority of 6,583.

Melanie Johnson won her seat, Welwyn Hatfield, following a statement made by her opponent, David Evans, which made national newspaper headlines.

Melanie Johnson was re-elected in the 2001 elections with a reduced majority.

From 1999 to 2005 Melanie Johnson was a junior minister serving first as Economic Secretary to the Treasury, next in the DTI as Minister for Competition and Consumers, and finally as Minister for Public Health in the Department of Health.

Melanie Johnson was responsible for Government's Enterprise Bill, commenting that 'We will provide a robust regime for dealing with those who abuse their creditors.

Melanie Johnson additionally announced plans in 2004 to cut domestic violence during pregnancy with the integration of routine enquiries into antenatal appointments.

Melanie Johnson campaigned to cut salt levels, setting targets to significantly reduce salt in foods in order to improve cardiovascular health.

Melanie Johnson gained credit from "salt victims" who had suffered strokes supporting her work to make large companies reduce salt.

Melanie Johnson's campaign was echoed by Food watchdogs, whilst she pushed for large food companies to make specific action plans in order to reduce salt.

In October 2003, Melanie Johnson was the subject of criticism when she was quoted as saying that fluoridation of water should be "the preferred method of preventing tooth decay on a population basis".

Melanie Johnson later clarified her comments stating "we are not saying that people should stop brushing their teeth".

In 2006 Melanie Johnson took the position of Deputy Chair on the Customer Impact Panel, an Association of British Insurers organisation dedicated to improving the customers' experience of the insurance industry.

In 2009 Melanie Johnson was named Chair of the UK Cards Association, a payments industry body, in which capacity she has attempted to have scientific research on credit card security withdrawn from public availability.

Melanie Johnson featured on the Labour's shortlist for the 2007 Sedgefield by-election but failed to be selected as candidate.

Melanie Johnson made the all-female longlist for the Walthamstow seat in 2008 but was less successful and did not make the shortlist.