Lyn has been the Member of Parliament for West Ham since 2005.  Lyn grew up and still lives in the constituency she now represents.  She attended Drew Road Primary School in Silvertown and Plashet Comprehensive School.  She went on to study English and Religion at what is now Roehampton University where she was elected President of the Student Union. From 1988 to her election to parliament Lyn served as a local councillor in Newham.  She also held posts in the Local Government Association, and what is now London Councils where she was instrumental in establishing the London Libraries Development Agency.  Now in her fifth term as MP for West Ham, Lyn has held a number of important roles including in the whips office and as Shadow Communities Minister and Shadow Fire Minister.  She is currently serving as Shadow Minster for Africa. She has campaigned for a Living Wage for all and for West Ham to receive inner city funding to deal with the inner city problems it faces. Lyn is proud to support Ambition, Aspire, Achieve with their important and exciting work supporting young people in Newham and across East London.​