John Steven Bassam, Baron Bassam of Brighton
John Steven Bassam was born on 11 June 1953. He is a British Labour and Co-operative politician and has been a member of the House of Lords since 1997.
Political career
He started working in local politics and then he was elected a Brighton councillor. He rose to become Leader of Brighton, then Brighton and Hove Council, from 1987 until 1999. In 1997, he was created a life peer as Baron Bassam of Brighton, of Brighton in the County of East Sussex, and he was introduced in the House of Lords sitting on the Labour benches. He was appointed Lord in waiting from 2001 to 2008. He is a member of many committees such as the Sub-Committee on Leave of Absence, Committee for Privileges and Conduct, Administration and Works Committee, Accommodation Steering Group, Committee of selection and procedure Committee. In 2010 he was appointed as the Shadow Chief Whip. Between 2008 and 2010 he was also Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household).
Education
He studied at the local County High School, in Clacton-on-Sea. He then went on to study at the University of Sussex and University of Kent, where he received a Masters in social work. Afterwards, he began his career as a social worker at Camden London Borough Council.
