23 Facts About Siobhain McDonagh

Siobhain McDonagh served as an Assistant Whip in the Labour Government, but was dismissed following comments regarding a leadership contest to replace prime minister Gordon Brown.

Siobhain McDonagh was born on 20 February 1960 in Colliers Wood.

Siobhain McDonagh's father was a builder and her mother a nurse who moved to the area in 1958.

Siobhain McDonagh went to Holy Cross School, New Malden and later studied Politics at the University of Essex.

Siobhain McDonagh served as a councillor on London Borough of Merton for Colliers Wood ward between 1982 and 1998, chairing the Housing Committee between 1990 and 1995, being instrumental in the rebuilding of Phipps Bridge Estate.

Siobhain McDonagh promised to apologise and reimburse the cost to her office.

In March 2003, Siobhain McDonagh voted in favour of the country going to war with Iraq.

Siobhain McDonagh has consistently voted against any inquiry into the Iraq War.

Siobhain McDonagh was appointed to the position of Assistant Whip in June 2007 in the re-shuffle brought about by Gordon Brown becoming prime minister.

Siobhain McDonagh responded stating, "I believe the job of an MP is to keep in contact with constituents on important issues".

On 12 September 2008, Siobhain McDonagh became the first member of the government to call for a leadership contest, resulting in dismissal from her government post.

In June 2015, Siobhain McDonagh nominated Liz Kendall, considered the Blairite candidate, for leadership of the Labour Party.

Siobhain McDonagh has written that it was a decision "not easy to come to".

Siobhain McDonagh supported Owen Smith in the failed attempt to replace Jeremy Corbyn in the 2016 Labour leadership election.

Siobhain McDonagh abstained from a vote on a motion withdrawing the UK's support for Saudi Arabia's military campaign in Yemen.

In September 2018, Siobhain McDonagh offered her support to Labour MP Chris Leslie when he faced a confidence motion from his CLP, a vote he subsequently lost.

In March 2019, Siobhain McDonagh was criticised by some left-wing members of the party after she appeared to agree with a statement put forward by John Humphrys on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Siobhain McDonagh said antisemitism is a problem in the Labour Party, because "part of [Labour] politics, of hard left politics, [is] to be against capitalists and to see Jewish people as the financiers of capital".

Siobhain McDonagh endorsed Jess Phillips in the 2020 Labour Party leadership election.

In October 2020, during the Covid Pandemic, Siobhain McDonagh faced criticism after being filmed inside the House of Commons, for using her face mask to clean her glasses.

In November 2024, Siobhain McDonagh voted against the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, a Bill to allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life; and for connected purposes.

Siobhain McDonagh lived in Colliers Wood in her constituency with her late sister Margaret, latterly Baroness Siobhain McDonagh, who was General Secretary of the Labour Party between 1998 and 2001, during Tony Blair's premiership.

Siobhain McDonagh was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2024 New Year Honours for parliamentary and political service.