Jen Craft

Craft was born in 1985 or 1986 at Orsett Hospital in Orsett, Thurrock, England. She grew up in Grays, Thurrock and was educated at Grays Convent High School and Palmer's College. She studied politics and history at university. Before entering politics, she worked as a civil servant. She left the civil service to look after one of her children who has Down syndrome. In the 2019 Thurrock Council election, she stood as the Labour candidate for the ward of Stifford Clays. She came in second place behind Jennifer Smith of the Thurrock Independents by 188 votes. == Member of Parliament ==

during Prime Minister's Questions, 16 October 2024 In 2022, Craft was selected as the Labour Party's prospective parliamentary candidate for the constituency of Thurrock. She was chosen in a ballot of local party members, beating Thurrock Council Labour leader John Kent, former Basildon Council Labour leader Jack Ferguson and Ealing Council member Miriam Rice. After Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the 2024 general election in May 2024, Craft said it was an opportunity for Labour to "unleash a decade of national renewal". She criticised the Conservative Party for presiding over the bankruptcy of Thurrock Council, which she said reflected the national situation under Sunak's Conservative government. Although optimistic, Craft warned that the election was "not a foregone conclusion" and pledged to "work hard for every single vote until the polls close" on election day. In the same month, she launched the party's six pledges for the election with Labour leader Keir Starmer. In that month, she campaigned in the constituency with Starmer and Labour frontbenchers Liz Kendall and Yvette Cooper. Her election made her one of at least three disabled MPs who were first elected in 2024, alongside Labour MP Marie Tidball and Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling. She was sworn in to Parliament on 11 July 2024 and made her maiden speech on 4 September 2024. == Personal life ==

Craft lives in Grays with her family. == References ==