Jo Richardson

Josephine Richardson (28 August 1923 – 1 February 1994) was a British Labour Party politician. At the time of her death she was Member of Parliament for Barking, a post she had held almost exactly 20 years, since 1974.

Early life She was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, and attended Southend High School for Girls. Her father, a sales representative, had stood as a Liberal Party candidate in Darlington during the 1930s; he died while she was still young. Her mother was a member of the Congregational Church. Richardson co-ordinated the Keep Left Group within the party, and went on to become the secretary of the Tribune Group before co-ordinating the Victory for Socialism Campaign. She was also a pro-choice campaigner.

She co-authored the pamphlet Keeping Left (1950) with Richard Crossman, Michael Foot and Ian Mikardo.

In 1985, KGB defector Oleg Gordievsky named Richardson and two other left-wing Labour MPs as confidential contacts of his embassy.

Death and legacy Amid complications of rheumatoid arthritis, Richardson's health declined precipitously in her last year of life, and she underwent spinal surgery. During this time, she was sometimes transported to the House of Commons by ambulance. She died from respiratory failure at her home on 1 February 1994, at the age of 70.

Jo Richardson Community School, in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, was named in her honour.