View source for Jo Platt

{{Short description|British politician (born 1973)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Jo Platt
| honorific-suffix    = [[Member of Parliament|MP]]
| image               = Official portrait of Jo Platt MP crop 2, 2024.jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2024
| office              = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br>for [[Leigh and Atherton (UK Parliament constituency)|Leigh and Atherton]]
| term_start          = 4 July 2024
| predecessor         = ''Constituency established''
| majority            = 8,881 (21.6%)
| office1             = Member of Parliament<br>for [[Leigh (UK Parliament constituency)|Leigh]]
| term_start1         = 8 June 2017
| term_end1           = 6 November 2019
| predecessor1        = [[Andy Burnham]]
| successor1          = [[James Grundy (politician)|James Grundy]]
| office2             = Member of [[Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council|Wigan Council]]<br>for [[Astley Mosley Common (ward)|Astley Mosley Common]]
| term_start2         = 3 May 2012
| term_end2           = 6 September 2017
| predecessor2        = Sean Ell
| successor2          = Paula Wakefield
| birth_name          = Joanne Marie Platt
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1973|6|15|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Salford]], England
| party               = [[Labour and Co-operative|Labour Co-op]]
}}
'''Joanne Marie Platt''' (born 15 June 1973) is a British [[Labour and Co-operative]] politician who has served as [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Leigh and Atherton (UK Parliament constituency)|Leigh and Atherton]] since 2024. She was previously MP for Leigh from 2017 to 2019.
==Political career==
Platt was elected to [[Astley Mosley Common (ward)|Astley Mosley Common]] ward on [[Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council|Wigan Council]] at the [[2012 Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council election|2012 local elections]] and re-elected in [[2016 Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council election|2016]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Local Election Results|url=https://apps.wigan.gov.uk/electionResults/ShowWard.asp?WardID=186&ElectionDate=03+May+2012|access-date=2021-06-15|website=apps.wigan.gov.uk}}</ref> She was appointed as the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People in June 2014,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Platt|first=Cllr Jo|title=Cllr Jo Platt on about.me|url=https://about.me/joplatt|access-date=2021-06-15|website=about.me}}</ref> and also served as the Secretary of the [[Leigh (UK Parliament constituency)|Leigh Constituency]] Labour Party during her tenure on the council.<ref name=":0" /> Platt resigned her council seat shortly after her election to Parliament in September 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-05 |title=Leigh MP steps down as ward councillor |url=https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/15516697.leigh-mp-jo-platt-steps-down-as-astley-and-mosley-common-councillor/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Leigh Journal |language=en}}</ref>
=== Parliamentary career ===
Platt was elected as the first female MP for [[Leigh (UK Parliament constituency)|Leigh]] at the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 General Election]],<ref>{{Cite news|title=Leigh parliamentary constituency – Election 2017|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000785|url-status=live|access-date=2018-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510182944/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000785|archive-date=10 May 2015}}</ref> succeeding [[Andy Burnham]] who stood down following his election as [[Mayor of Greater Manchester|Greater Manchester Mayor]].<ref>{{cite web|date=9 June 2017|title=Jo Platt makes history becoming Leigh's first female MP|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/politics/jo-platt-makes-history-becoming-leigh-s-first-female-mp-1-8586091|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616171839/http://www.lep.co.uk/news/politics/jo-platt-makes-history-becoming-leigh-s-first-female-mp-1-8586091|archive-date=16 June 2017|work=[[Lancashire Evening Post|Lancashire Post]]|accessdate=9 June 2017}}</ref> Upon election, Platt advocated greater investment for post-industrial towns, restoring rail connectivity, increased local post-16 education provision and highlighting opportunities arising from devolution.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MP COLUMN: Lack of railway station is a source of great frustration|url=https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/17446889.mp-column-lack-of-railway-station-is-a-source-of-great-frustration/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729184149/https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/17446889.mp-column-lack-of-railway-station-is-a-source-of-great-frustration/|archive-date=29 July 2019|access-date=2019-07-29|website=Leigh Journal|date=22 February 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/17314822.leigh-mp-to-discuss-social-mobility-in-parliament-after-constituency-ranked-lowest-in-country-in-key-area/|title=Leigh MP to discuss social mobility in Parliament after constituency ranked lowest in country in key area|website=Leigh Journal|date=21 December 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729184147/https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/17314822.leigh-mp-to-discuss-social-mobility-in-parliament-after-constituency-ranked-lowest-in-country-in-key-area/|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
Platt was a briefly member of the [[Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee|Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee]] in 2017, but sat on the [[Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee]] from 2017 to 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jo Platt MP|url=https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/jo-platt/4673|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107175025/https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/jo-platt/4673|archive-date=7 January 2018|access-date=2018-01-07|website=UK Parliament|language=en}}</ref>
Platt was appointed as the [[Parliamentary Private Secretary]] (PPS) to [[Angela Rayner]],<ref>{{cite web|date=July 13, 2017|title=Honoured to have been appointed PPS to the wonderful @AngelaRayner Proud to be a part of this great team. #StandingUpForEducation #Labour|url=https://twitter.com/JoPlattMP/status/885606369629548544|work=[[Twitter]]|accessdate=July 13, 2017}}</ref> [[Shadow Secretary of State for Education|Shadow Education Secretary]], in July 2017. She held the position until July 2018, when she was promoted as a Shadow Minister for the [[Cabinet Office]], focusing on [[cybersecurity]], government digital projects, digital identity, outsourcing and government implementation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Frontbench role for MP Jo Platt|url=https://www.wigantoday.net/news/politics/frontbench-role-for-mp-jo-platt-1-9245594|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729184146/https://www.wigantoday.net/news/politics/frontbench-role-for-mp-jo-platt-1-9245594|archive-date=29 July 2019|access-date=2019-07-29|website=www.wigantoday.net|date=11 July 2018 |language=en}}</ref> She criticised the Government's cybersecurity record in her role,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://labour.org.uk/press/tories-failed-get-grip-cyber-security-jo-platt-responds-hcsec-oversight-boards-annual-report/|title=Tories have failed to get a grip on cyber security – Jo Platt responds to HCSEC Oversight Board's annual report|website=The Labour Party|access-date=2019-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729184147/https://labour.org.uk/press/tories-failed-get-grip-cyber-security-jo-platt-responds-hcsec-oversight-boards-annual-report/|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/europe/uk-mp-faults-continuing-use-technology-susceptible-cyber-attack-nhs|title=UK MP faults continuing use of technology susceptible to cyber-attack in NHS|date=2019-07-17|website=Healthcare IT News|language=en|access-date=2019-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729184156/https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/europe/uk-mp-faults-continuing-use-technology-susceptible-cyber-attack-nhs|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as their handling of [[Huawei|Huawei's]] involvement in the UK's [[5G]] infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2019/april/potential-huawei-5g-deal-questioned-by-opposition-/|title=Potential Huawei 5G deal questioned by Opposition – News from Parliament|website=UK Parliament|language=English|access-date=2019-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729184147/https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2019/april/potential-huawei-5g-deal-questioned-by-opposition-/|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/huawei-china-uk-5k-leak-cyber-security-services-nsc-wright-conservative-labour-a8885871.html|title=Unprecedented leak of secret government talks with Huawei could lead to criminal investigation, minister says|date=2019-04-25|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729184146/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/huawei-china-uk-5k-leak-cyber-security-services-nsc-wright-conservative-labour-a8885871.html|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48032286|title=UK to allow Huawei to help build 5G|date=2019-04-24|access-date=2019-07-29|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505235708/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48032286|archive-date=5 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2019, Platt advocated having a single Cybersecurity Minister and a government approach that facilitates the growth of the UK cyber sector in post-industrial towns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.publictechnology.net/articles/news/%E2%80%98-vibrant-cyber-sector-could-revitalise-post-industrial-towns%E2%80%99-%E2%80%93-labour-mp-platt|title='A vibrant cyber sector could revitalise post-industrial towns' – Labour MP Platt|date=2019-03-21|website=PublicTechnology.net|language=en|access-date=2019-07-29|archive-date=13 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213130239/https://www.publictechnology.net/articles/news/%E2%80%98-vibrant-cyber-sector-could-revitalise-post-industrial-towns%E2%80%99-%E2%80%93-labour-mp-platt|url-status=dead}}</ref> She also advocated the uptake of the cyber profession amongst those with [[neurodiverse]] conditions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/mp/Joanne_Platt/vs/Christopher_Green|title=Jo Platt and Chris Green debate|website=www.parallelparliament.co.uk|access-date=2019-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729184147/https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/mp/Joanne_Platt/vs/Christopher_Green|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
Platt set up and chaired the [[All Party Parliamentary Group]] on [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]], informing and advising Ministers of the barriers those with ADHD face and the change that is required. In August 2018, she asked every clinical commissioning group (CCG) across the country what their average waiting time for ADHD diagnosis was, ultimately revealing some were waiting an average of two years for a diagnosis.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/03/uk-children-adhd-wait-two-years-diagnosis-experts|title=UK children with ADHD wait up to two years for diagnosis, say experts|last=editor|first=Sarah Boseley Health|date=2018-08-03|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-07-29|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729184146/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/03/uk-children-adhd-wait-two-years-diagnosis-experts|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> She presented the findings to Prime Minister [[Theresa May]] during [[Prime Minister's Questions]], securing a commitment from her to explore whether waiting times could be published to encourage a better diagnosis and treatment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2018-06-06/debates/26753E92-D124-4BE2-A9DE-126B303829B3/Engagements|title=Engagements – Hansard|website=hansard.parliament.uk|access-date=2019-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729184143/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2018-06-06/debates/26753E92-D124-4BE2-A9DE-126B303829B3/Engagements|archive-date=29 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
Platt lost her seat at the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]] to the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] candidate, [[James Grundy (politician)|James Grundy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ex-Leigh MP Jo Platt says Labour has 'lost seat that resembles heart and soul' of movement|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ex-leigh-mp-jo-platt-17428140|access-date=17 December 2019|work=[[Manchester Evening News]]|date=16 December 2019 }}</ref> The result saw the largest 2017 majority for a party overturned in the country, and was the first time Labour lost the seat since 1922.
In 2022, Platt was selected as the [[prospective parliamentary candidate]] for Leigh at the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]] and was re-elected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neame |first=Katie |title=Our rolling list of Labour parliamentary candidate selections |url=https://labourlist.org/2022/08/our-rolling-list-of-labour-parliamentary-candidate-selections/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=LabourList |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Leigh {{!}} General Election 2024 |url=https://election.news.sky.com/elections/general-election-2024/leigh-and-atherton-366 |website=[[Sky News]] |access-date=5 July 2024}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Platt has two children. After leaving Parliament, Platt worked for the charity Leigh Building Preservation Trust,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former MP named first general manager of Leigh Spinners Mill project |url=https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/18722498.ex-leigh-mp-jo-platt-general-manager-leigh-spinners-mill/ |access-date=2021-09-16 |website=Leigh Journal |date=16 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> at a local heritage site [[Leigh Spinners]] which is a Grade II* listed mill in the centre of Leigh. Platt was tasked with the management of renovating the building to house heritage, small business, enterprise, arts and culture. Whilst at Leigh Spinners Mill, she co-created a [[Co-operatives UK]] company,<ref>{{Cite web|title=New co-operative formed to drive development at historic borough mill|url=https://www.wigantoday.net/news/new-co-operative-formed-to-drive-development-at-historic-borough-mill-3245352|access-date=2021-09-16|website=www.wigantoday.net|date=21 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Leigh Spinners Mill CBS {{!}} Co-operatives UK|url=https://www.uk.coop/directory/leigh-spinners-mill-cbs|access-date=2021-09-16|website=www.uk.coop|language=en}}</ref> Leigh Spinners CBS, in order to drive further development for the site. Platt continues to campaign on local and national issues such as [[Long COVID]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Otter|first=Saffron|date=2020-09-13|title=Public health timebomb - What if coronavirus stays with you for life?|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/health/what-coronavirus-stays-you-life-18908877|access-date=2021-09-16|website=Manchester Evening News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Cox|first=Charlotte|date=2021-04-12|title=The kids who've had Covid for a year and the war against a health timebomb|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/long-covid-children-greater-manchester-20296538|access-date=2021-09-16|website=Manchester Evening News|language=en}}</ref> after contracting the virus in March 2020.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{UK MP links |parliament=jo-platt/4673 |publicwhip=Jo_Platt |theywork=jo_platt}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|uk}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Andy Burnham ]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br>for [[Leigh (UK Parliament constituency)|Leigh]]|years=[[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]]–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[[James Grundy (politician)|James Grundy]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Labour Party UK MPs}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Platt, Joanne}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2017–2019]]
[[Category:Labour Co-operative MPs for English constituencies]]
[[Category:21st-century British women politicians]]
[[Category:Female members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Leigh]]
[[Category:21st-century English women]]
[[Category:21st-century English politicians]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2024–present]]