John Mann, English lawyer and politician

John Mann, Baron Mann, born on 10 January 1960, is a distinguished British independent politician renowned for his dedicated public service and his prominent role in combating antisemitism. He currently serves in the House of Lords as a life peer and holds the crucial position of the UK Government’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism.

Prior to his elevation to the peerage, Baron Mann had a substantial career in the House of Commons. He represented the constituency of Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire as a Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for an impressive 18 years, serving from the 2001 general election until his resignation from the Commons on 28 October 2019.

Parliamentary Contributions and Early Career

During his tenure as an MP, John Mann was an active participant in parliamentary scrutiny and policy development. He notably served on the influential Treasury Select Committee. This cross-party committee plays a vital role in scrutinising the expenditure, administration, and policy of HM Treasury, the Bank of England, and other associated bodies, holding them accountable to Parliament.

His early career in Westminster also included roles as a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS). A PPS is an unpaid assistant chosen by a government minister to act as a liaison between the minister and backbench MPs. Mann served in this capacity for two prominent Labour ministers: Tessa Jowell, who held various Cabinet positions including Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Minister for the Olympics; and Richard Caborn, who notably served as Minister for Sport.

A Leading Voice Against Antisemitism

Baron Mann is widely recognised as a tireless and vocal campaigner against antisemitism. His commitment to this cause predates his current advisory role, having been a consistent advocate within Parliament and beyond for many years. He played a significant role in raising awareness and advocating for action against antisemitism, particularly within political discourse. His efforts underscored the importance of tackling this form of prejudice head-on, working with Jewish community organisations and parliamentary colleagues to drive change.

Transition to a Dedicated Advisory Role and Peerage

On 23 July 2019, John Mann was appointed as the UK Government’s independent adviser on antisemitism. This critical appointment demonstrated a governmental commitment to addressing the issue with a dedicated, expert voice. Subsequently, on 7 September 2019, he announced his decision not to seek re-election as an MP in the upcoming general election, opting instead to fully dedicate himself to this vital, full-time advisory role within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

His significant contributions were further recognised when he was nominated to become a life peer on 9 September 2019. This nomination came from former Prime Minister Theresa May as part of her resignation honours list, a traditional mechanism for an outgoing Prime Minister to recommend individuals for various honours, including peerages, in recognition of public service. Upon his formal elevation, he took his seat as Baron Mann in the House of Lords.

Independent Status in the House of Lords

As a Member of the House of Lords, Baron Mann sits as an independent politician, commonly referred to as a 'crossbencher'. This means he is not affiliated with any specific political party group within the Lords and does not take a party whip, allowing him to consider legislation and policy on their merits without party directives. Notably, while he operates independently within the parliamentary structure of the Lords, he maintains his personal membership of the Labour Party.

Frequently Asked Questions about Baron Mann

What is Baron Mann's primary role today?
Baron Mann serves as the UK Government’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism and is a life peer in the House of Lords, where he sits as an independent politician.
What does it mean to be a 'life peer' in the House of Lords?
A life peer is an individual appointed to the House of Lords for the duration of their life, as opposed to a hereditary peer. They are typically appointed in recognition of public service or distinction in their field, and their title is not passed down to their children.
Why is John Mann considered an independent politician in the House of Lords if he maintains Labour Party membership?
In the House of Lords, an 'independent politician' or 'crossbencher' is not formally affiliated with any political party group and does not follow a party whip. While Baron Mann retains his personal membership of the Labour Party, his parliamentary contributions in the Lords are made without party alignment, allowing for independent judgment on matters before the House.
What was John Mann's political background before becoming a peer?
Before his elevation to the peerage, John Mann was a Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Bassetlaw from 2001 until 2019. During this time, he also served on the Treasury Select Committee and as a Parliamentary Private Secretary.
What is the significance of his work against antisemitism?
Baron Mann is a leading voice and prominent campaigner against antisemitism. His dedicated work in this area, both as an MP and now as the Government's Independent Adviser, involves raising awareness, advising on policy, and advocating for robust measures to combat antisemitic prejudice and discrimination across the United Kingdom.