Pearl MacBay

[Pearl MacBay]

Name: Pearl MacBay
Avatar: Betty White
Age: 62
Sex: F
Ethnicity: British
Marital Status: Widowed

Party: Labour
Primary Tribe: Tribune
Secondary Tribes: None
Brexit Position: Remain in the referendum, committed to respecting results of the vote.
Constituency: Great Grimsby
Year Elected: 1992

Education: Attended the University of Sussex, receiving a Bachelors of International Relations in 1982.
Career: After graduating in 1982, Pearl worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in their communications branch. Leading media relations and issues management, Pearl spent the beginning of her career domestically, before serving overseas in the UK High Commission as the Media Relations Officer in Ottawa. She joined the British Red Cross as Head of Communications in 1989.
Political Career: First elected in 1992, re-elected in '97, '01, '05, '10, '15 and '17. From 1997-2003, Pearl was the PPS to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.


Brief bio:

Pearl MacBay (nee Abbott) was born in Grimsby, to Douglas and Helga in 1957. The oldest of three, Pearl excelled in school and enjoyed musical school activities, playing the clarinet from her early learning years through until the completion of secondary school. In fact, she still ocassionally plays with the Grimsby Symphony Orchestra when given the chance.

After graduating from the University of Sussex with a B.A in International Relations, Pearl joined the FCO in their communications branch. She ultimately joined the foreign service and worked in the UK High Commission to Canada, serving as the Media Relations Officer in Ottawa, ON.

Upset by what she saw as the inequity of the Thatcher years, Pearl resigned from the FCO and returned to the United Kingdom to serve as the Head of Communications, at the British Red Cross. When the opportunity arose to run for office in 1992 for the Labour Party, Pearl ran and was elected in Great Grimsby. She devoted her first term to committee work and was known for her ability to work quietly with colleagues in all parties to advance issues important to her. When Labour swept to power in 1997, Pearl served as the Private Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, serving with both Robin Cook and Jack Straw. When Cook resigned to protest the Iraq War in 2003, Pearl quietly did the same and returned to the Labour backbench where she has remained and followed the approach she took at the beginning of her career, working alongside colleagues of all stripes.

MacBay strongly campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU in the referendum. However, she committed to voting in the House of Commons as her constituents wished. Given the large majority for leave in the Great Grimsby constituency (nearly 72%), Pearl has without fail (though reluctantly) voted to advance her constituents' wishes. She opposes future referendums on the issue, going on recording saying "the issue is resolved. Like it or not, UK voters have given us instructions. It is our job to abide by their wishes."

MacBay is not afraid of compromise, but holds firm principles on the role and importance of government. Reluctant to speak out against the leadership of her party, no matter who holds the job, Pearl will not hesitate to speak her mind privately and has been known to share critiques publicly if an issue close to her is not being addressed.

[Pearl MacBay]

Signed out. Cheers, all. To continued PolUK success!