Kevin Brennan was elected to Parliament in June 2001, succeeding the Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan who had represented Cardiff West since June 1987.
Kevin worked as Mr Morgan’s constituency based researcher from 1995, acting as his agent and Campaign Manager in the 1999 and 2000 Welsh Labour leadership contests. From March 2000 until May 2001, Kevin acted as Rhodri Morgan’s Special Advisor at the Welsh Assembly.
Kevin was born in Cwmbran, South Wales, on 16 October 1959. He was educated at St Alban’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive School in Pontypool, before going up to Pembroke College, Oxford, where he took a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. After graduating, Kevin took a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Wales, Cardiff, and then a Msc. in Education and Management at the University of Glamorgan.
Before becoming Mr. Morgan’s full-time aide in 1995, Kevin was Head of Economics at Radyr Comprehensive School in Cardiff. Between 1991 and 2001 he was a member of Cardiff City Council, and then Cardiff City and County, Council representing the ward of Canton. During this time he served as Chair of the Finance Committee, Chair of the Economic Scrutiny Committee and Vice-Chair of the Economic Development.
After his election to Parliament, Kevin became a member of the Public Administration Committee, continuing a Cardiff tradition as Rhodri Morgan had served as Chairman of the Committee between 1997 and 1999. Kevin has also been a member of the Special Standing Committees on the Adoption and Children’s Bill (2001-2); The State Pensions Credit Bill (2002), and the Finance Bill (2002). At the end of 2002, Kevin was also appointed to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee – The body which scrutinises the Northern Ireland policy when the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont was suspended.
Kevin was the Chairman and founding member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Muscular Dystrophy. The Group aims to bring together Parliamentarians, scientists, and muscular dystrophy charities and campaigners in an attempt to raise public awareness of muscular dystrophy and actively find a cure for all forms of dystrophy. He was named epolitix Disability Charity Champion 2005 for his work on Muscular Dystrophy.
Kevin was also an associate member of the British Irish Parliamentary Association, and member of the Trade Union Group of MPs, Labour Friends of India and an executive member of the Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform. He is a member of the Transport and General Workers Union, the Musicians’ Union, and the Fabian Society. He is also a passionate supporter of Cardiff Rugby Club and Wales. Kevin is a keen musician and a member of the parliamentary rock group MP4.
In 2004 Kevin was appointed as PPS to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Alan Milburn. After the 2005 general Election he was appointed a Junior Whip in the Government Whips Office. In 2006 he was appointed Lords Commissioner to the Treasury, a senior Government Whip position. In 2007 Kevin was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Dept. of Children, Schools and Families, before being appointed to the Cabinet Office as Minister for the Third Sector in 2008.
In 2009 Mr Brennan was appointed as the Minister of State for FE, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs. Following the 2010 General Election Kevin continued this role in a Shadow Cabinet capacity before becoming Shadow Minister for Schools under Ed Milliband.
Following the Labour Party’s leadership election in 2015, Jeremy Corbyn appointed Mr Brennan to the role of Shadow Minister for Trade, Investment, and Intellectual Property. In 2016 he was then appointed Shadow Minister for Arts & Heritage with extra responsibilities as the Deputy Shadow Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media & Sport.
In 2020 Mr Brennan decided to take a step back from the bench so he could concentrate on his work on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee. Following up on his work on the Committee, Mr Brennan presented his Copyright (Rights And Remuneration Of Musicians) Private Member’s Bill to Parliament in December 2001.
Ahead of the 2024 General Election the Labour Leader, Sir Keir Starmer, asked Mr Brennan to return to the front bench and in September 2023 Mr Brennan was appointed to his current role of Shadow Minister for Victims and Sentencing.
On Monday, July 27th, 2024 Mr Brennan announced he was standing down as a Member of Parliament and would not seek re-election. You can read about there here.
Kevin lives in Cardiff West and is married with a daughter.