Valerie Vaz
Labour · Walsall and Bloxwich
FULL PROFILEValerie Vaz is the Labour MP for Walsall and Bloxwich, first elected in 2010. She is 71 years old. As a long-serving backbencher without ministerial appointment, they have more freedom to vote independently.
Ideology
Voting Behaviour
Key Interests
Education and literacy · Heritage and historic buildings · Criminal justice and legal aid · Health and medical safety · Community relations and anti-racism
Positions
Immigration — Liberal approach opposing stricter controls
strong
European Integration — Pro-EU integration and cooperation
strong
Education — Advocates for reading programmes and school meals expansion
moderate
Criminal Justice — Supports legal aid funding and opposes jury trial cuts
moderate
Healthcare — Focuses on medical safety and BAME health representation
moderate
Heritage Protection — Strong advocate for listed places of worship funding
moderate
Taxation — Supports progressive taxation including bankers' bonus tax
moderate
Parliamentary Procedure — Advocates for transparency and proper broadcasting
weak
Reasoning Style
Constituency-focused and procedurally minded, often raising specific local concerns while maintaining attention to parliamentary process and transparency. Balances party loyalty with occasional independent positions on issues affecting her diverse constituency.
Background
Valerie Vaz entered Parliament in 2010 without prior ministerial experience, bringing a background that positioned her to represent the diverse constituency of Walsall and Bloxwich with its 47% ethnic minority population.