Vera Baird
Dame Vera Baird DBE KC (née Thomas; born 13 February 1950) is a British barrister and politician who has held roles as a government minister, police and crime commissioner, and Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales.
Vera Baird | |
|---|---|
Baird in 2013 | |
| Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales | |
| In office 15 June 2019 – 30 September 2022 | |
| Preceded by | The Baroness Newlove |
| Succeeded by | The Baroness Newlove (Acting) |
| Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner | |
| In office 22 November 2012 – 7 June 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Kim McGuinness |
| Solicitor General for England and Wales | |
| In office 29 June 2007 – 11 May 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | Mike O'Brien |
| Succeeded by | Edward Garnier |
| Member of Parliament for Redcar | |
| In office 7 June 2001 – 12 April 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Mo Mowlam |
| Succeeded by | Ian Swales |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Vera Thomas 13 February 1950 Chadderton, Lancashire, England |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouses | David Taylor-Gooby
(m. 1972; div. 1978)Robert Baird
(m. 1978; died 1979) |
| Residence(s) | South Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Alma mater | Newcastle Polytechnic Open University, London Guildhall University University of Teesside |
A Labour Party Member of Parliament for Redcar from 2001 to 2010, Baird was a government minister from 2006 to 2010 and the Solicitor General for England and Wales from 2007 to 2010. She served as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria Police from November 2012 to June 2019. She was appointed as Victim's Commissioner in June 2019 and resigned in September 2022, accusing government ministers of downgrading victims' interests.
Baird was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to women and equality.