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Portrait of Merlyn Rees

Former Member of Parliament

Merlyn Rees

Labour MP for Morley and Leeds South

At a glanceMerlyn Rees was a Labour MP for Morley and Leeds South.

Early day motions2 tabled
Full parliamentary career17 past posts

Government posts

  • Home Secretary · Home Office 10 Sep 1976 – 4 May 1979
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland · Northern Ireland Office 5 Mar 1974 – 9 Sep 1976
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office) · Home Office 1 Nov 1968 – 19 Jun 1970
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Air Force) · Ministry of Defence 16 Apr 1966 – 1 Nov 1968
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Army) · Ministry of Defence 24 Dec 1965 – 6 Apr 1966

Opposition posts

  • Shadow Secretary of State · HM Official Opposition 10 Dec 1980 – 9 Jun 1983
  • Shadow Secretary of State · HM Official Opposition 7 May 1979 – 10 Dec 1980
  • Shadow Secretary of State · HM Official Opposition 1 Apr 1972 – 28 Feb 1974

Committee memberships

  • Privileges 22 Nov 1988 – 16 Mar 1992
  • Privileges 9 Jun 1983 – 15 May 1987

Previous seats

  • Morley and Leeds South · Elected 2 times 9 Jun 1983 – 9 Apr 1992
  • Leeds South · Elected 3 times 28 Feb 1974 – 9 Jun 1983
  • Leeds South · Elected 4 times 20 Jun 1963 – 28 Feb 1974

Elections contested

  • Harrow East 8 Oct 1959
  • Harrow East 19 Mar 1959
  • Harrow East 26 May 1955

Party affiliation

  • Labour 20 Jun 1963 – 5 Jan 2006

Source: parliamentary career on parliament.uk.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Merlyn Rees, answered from official Parliament data.

Who is Merlyn Rees?

Merlyn Rees was a Member of Parliament who represented Morley and Leeds South in the House of Commons. See Merlyn Rees's official Parliament profile.

Which party did Merlyn Rees represent?

Merlyn Rees sat as Labour. See Merlyn Rees's official Parliament profile.

Which constituency did Merlyn Rees represent?

Merlyn Rees was the Member of Parliament for Morley and Leeds South. See Merlyn Rees's official Parliament profile.

What registered interests are listed for Merlyn Rees?

Merlyn Rees has no entries in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. See Merlyn Rees's official Parliament profile.

Source: this MP's official Parliament profile. Last updated 27 Jul 2026.