Anthony Steen - Parliamentary Career

Parliamentary Career

In his role as chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the trafficking of women and children, Steen did much to raise awareness of the scourge of human trafficking in the UK.

Viewed as being on the left of the party, he backed Kenneth Clarke's leadership bids. In 2001, he was one of Clarke's most vocal supporters, denouncing the supporters of Iain Duncan Smith as bigots. He is, however, not as enthusiastic about the European Union and describes himself as a Europragmatist.

In February 2010, he saw his Private Member's Bill to establish a national Anti-Slavery Day passed through the House of Commons. Since then there have been two annual event to mark Anti-Slavery Day and raise awareness of the issue of human trafficking in the UK, including in 2011 when activities took place across the country. In London, Prime Minister David Cameron hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street to mark the occasion, whilst the inaugural Human Trafficking Foundation Media Awards took place at the House of Lords.