John Woodcock is the MP for Barrow and Furness.
Sheffield-born, he has a degree in English from Edinburgh University where he was active in student politics. He was a journalist on the Scotsman before deciding he could make a bigger difference by moving into the world of politics.
In London he worked for cabinet minister John Hutton, his predecessor as Barrow MP, before working as a special adviser to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown from October 2008 to October 2009.
He is married to Mandy, and they have a young daughter, Maisie. He supports Sheffield Wednesday and also follows FA Trophy winners Barrow AFC and Barrow Raiders.
