The Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP
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Rt Hon Liam Byrne is the Member of Parliament for Birmingham, Hodge Hill. Liam was educated at comprehensive schools, joined the Labour party aged 15. He came top of his class at Manchester University, winning the Robert Mackenzie prize for political science and the leadership of Manchester Student Union, before going onto to win a Fulbright scholarship to the Harvard Business School where he took his MBA with honours. When he came home he started a fast-growing software company – and a family with his wife Sarah.
Liam is the author of over twenty books and pamphlets about Britain’s future and is a passionate advocate of closer ties between Britain and Asia. His book Turning to Face the East was published by Guardian Books this year. He sits on the board of the GB-China Centre, is vice-chair of the APPG on East Asian Business and a patron of Chinese for Labour.
The Rt Hon David Miliband
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The Former Foreign Secretary, The Rt Hon David Miliband has agreed to be a Patron of Chinese for Labour. Sonny Leong, Chair says. "David is a friend of the Chinese community and we are delighted that he has agreed to be one of our Patrons. With his extensive knowledge and experience, we will be working with David to ensure that the Chinese are properly represented in Parliament."
David Miliband, "The UK works closely with China on a wide range of issues, which reflects not only China's increasing economic and political weight but also the desire of both countries to work closely together to tackle the challenges of the future. I was proud while in government that Labour worked closely with the thriving Chinese community in the UK, and I am proud to be a Patron of Chinese for Labour."
The Rt Hon Sir Ian McCartney
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Sir Ian McCartney was elected to represent the Makerfield Constituency in 1987. In 2007 he celebrates 20 years as a Member of Parliament. In September 2007, Ian was appointed Commissioner General for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 and is the Prime Minister's personal representative on the Socialist International. Born in 1951, Ian had a number of jobs after leaving school, including working as a seaman and a local government manual worker. He was a councillor for Wigan Borough from 1982-87.
In his previous role at the Cabinet Office, Mr McCartney was responsible for modernising government and e-government. He was also responsible for the co-ordination of the 2002 Commonwealth Games drugs policy and the Better Government for Older People initiative. This was launched in June 1998 to improve public services for older people by listening to their needs on wide ranging issues including, access to benefits, health, housing and transport. Ian has held several senior ministerial posts, was Labour Party Chair and Chair of the National Policy Forum.
He is a keen supporter of Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club.
Cherie Booth QC, CBE
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Cherie Booth QC, CBE is a barrister, mother of four children and the wife of the former British Prime Minister, Rt Hon Tony Blair. She is acclaimed in her own right as one of the country's most distinguished and successful human rights lawyers, in which capacity she co-founded Matrix Chambers.
Her many other roles include the Chancellorship of Liverpool John Moores University and the Governorship of the LSE and the Open University. She is also a part-time judge and a tireless campaigner for charity and other worthy causes, Cherie Booth is the President of Bernardo's and the Patron of numerous organisations. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, a Doctor of Laws, and a Fellow of the International Society of Lawyers for Public Service.
Cherie Booth has actively supported the development of strong, positive relations with China, accompanying the Prime Minister on his visits to the country and taking part in many activities there in her own right, for example, playing the role of a judge at the British Law Week in Beijing.