Early Life
McDonagh is a Roman Catholic of Irish descent and was educated at the Holy Cross Catholic Girls' School on Sandal Road in New Malden and later studied Politics at the University of Essex. Her sister is Baroness McDonagh who was General Secretary of the Labour Party between 1998 and 2001 and was instrumental in the modernisation of the Labour Party in both its campaigning and policy.
She was a clerical officer for the DHSS between 1981–83, then a Housing benefit from 1983–84, then a receptionist at the Wandsworth Homeless Persons Unit from 1984–86, and a housing adviser from 1986–88.
Prior to being elected to Parliament she worked as a Development Manager for Battersea Churches Housing Trust from 1988-97. She also served as a councillor on London Borough of Merton for Colliers Wood ward between 1982 and 1998, chairing the Housing Committee between 1990 and 1995 where she was instrumental in the rebuilding of Phipps Bridge Estate.
Read more about this topic: Siobhain McDonagh
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