Linda Gilroy (1949- present)
Born Linda Jarvie, and briefly at school in Exeter as a child, then moving to Scotland for the rest of her education, she returned to the South West in 1979, as a regional manager for the Gas Consumer Council. She served as secretary to the Plymouth Drake Labour Constituency Party 1987-8, and became chair of the Cornwall Labour Party in 1990-94. She sought election as both an MP and an MEP unsuccessfully until elected Labour and Co-operative MP for Plymouth Sutton in 1997, she held the seat until 2010. While an MP, she fought for Plymouth’s interests across a range of fields, including new medical and dental schools, marine science and technology and with Plymouth in mind, she made important contributions to the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, as well as to the Climate Change Act 2009. She remains a resident of Plymouth and has continued to work for an increased representation of women in politics, national and local, supporting the cross-party Centenary Action Group and #Vote 100.