Kate Hollern was first elected as the Labour MP for Blackburn in 2015, being re-elected in 2019 with a majority of 18,304.
The Lancashire constituency of Blackburn is focussed predominantly on the textile manufacturing town of Blackburn itself. An ethnically diverse seat, a third of electorate are said to be of Asian descent. Since the war, Blackburn has been represented in Parliament by the prominent Labour Cabinet Ministers, Barbara Castle, and Jack Straw. The Labour Party has won every General Election in Blackburn since 1945.
Hollern served as Shadow Minister for Local Government between 2020 and 2021, having previously been Parliamentary Private Secretary to Jeremy Corbyn during his time as Leader of the Labour Party between 2017 and 2020. Despite later taking up the role as PPS to Jeremy Corbyn, Hollern voted for Owen Smith in his 2016 leadership challenge to Jeremy Corbyn.
Born in 1955, Hollern was the work study manager at the local Newman’s Footwear factory. She also worked as a contracts manager for Blackburn college.
Hollern was elected to Blackburn and Darwen Council between 1995 and 2015. She was the Leader of the Labour Group the Council, and Leader of the Council from 2004-2007 and 2010 until 2015.
During her political career, Kate has led the Labour Group on the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council since 2004. She was Leader of the Council from 2004 to 2007 and again after 2010.
Hollern has two daughters.
Email – kate.hollern.mp@parliament.uk
Personal Website: http://kateforblackburn.org.uk
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/katehollernforblackburn
