Karin Smyth

Karin Smyth was elected as Labour MP for Bristol South in 2015. Smyth studied economics and social studies, as well as completing an MBA; her entry into politics began in 1997 when she was employed as an office manager for Valerie Davey, the then-MP for Bristol West. Subsequently, Smyth worked as a non-executive member of Bristol North PCT and then as an NHS manager at Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group. Smyth was elected to represent Bristol South in the May 2015 general election, taking over from her Labour predecessor Dawn Primarolo. Smyth was a vocal critic of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, and supported both Owen Smith’s bid to replace Corbyn and Keir Starmer’s leadership campaign. She has criticised the NHS trusts which established wholly-owned companies in recent years, arguing that the process has led to further fragmentation of the NHS. When speaking on her personal and family life, Smyth claimed that her family keeps her “grounded” and that her most important experience and contribution to society has been “starting and raising my family.” She is currently the shadow minister for Northern Ireland and sits on the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee.