Alumna returns to the Opposition Frontbench in the House of Commons

St Catharine’s alumna Lilian Greenwood (1984, Social & Political Sciences), MP for Nottingham South and President of the St Catharine’s Society, has been appointed Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Commons for the Labour Party.

This is far from Lilian’s first experience of the Whips Office for Her Majesty's Official Opposition, which helps to organise the Labour Party’s contribution to parliamentary business. She was appointed Assistant Whip in October 2010, only a few months after she was first elected as an MP.

The new role will also see Lilian return to the Opposition Frontbench for the first time since 2016, when she was Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.

Lilian commented, “I’m absolutely delighted to be returning to the Opposition Frontbench as Deputy Chief Whip. This is a vital role, helping to ensure that Labour uses Parliament to hold the Government to account and offer a compelling alternative vision for the country. I have some very big shoes to fill but am very much looking forward to the challenge.”

Over the last five years, Lilian has been an active backbench MP, including as chair of the Transport Committee and, most recently, chair of the Finance Committee.

Professor Sir Mark Welland, Master of St Catharine’s, remarked, “On behalf of the St Catharine’s community, I am delighted to congratulate Lilian on her well-deserved appointment. It is great that a St Catharine’s alumna will be so prominent in the House of Commons. We are tremendously fortunate that Lilian has been able to be such a staunch champion for the College over recent years, given her considerable parliamentary responsibilities.”