We are delighted to welcome Janet Daby, MP for Lewisham East to our May meeting to talk about her life in politics.  Janet was raised in Southeast London and is a proud daughter of the Windrush generation, with her parents having emigrated from Jamaica and Guyana.  She studied at Brunel University, earning a BSc, before completing an MSc at the London School of Economics. Janet began her professional life as a frontline social worker, supporting children and families. She later advanced to become a fostering business and practice manager. Janet entered politics in 2010 when she was elected to represent Whitefoot Ward on Lewisham Council, unseating the incumbent Liberal Democrat. She was re-elected in 2014 and 2018, and during her time on the council, she served as Cabinet Member for Community Safety. In 2013, she founded the Whitefoot and Downham Community Food + Project, a grassroots initiative aimed at tackling food insecurity in the local area.

In 2018, Janet was elected as the Member of Parliament for Lewisham East in a by-election following the resignation of Heidi Alexander. She was re-elected in both the 2019 and 2024 general elections.

Throughout her parliamentary career, Janet has held several frontbench roles, including Shadow Minister for Youth Justice. She currently serves as Minister for Children and Families in Sir Keir Starmer’s government, continuing her lifelong dedication to supporting children, families, and communities.