Roy Kennedy, Baron Kennedy of Southwark

Roy Francis Kennedy, Baron Kennedy of Southwark, (born 9 November 1962) is a British politician and life peer serving as Chief Whip of the Labour Party in the UK House of Lords since 2024. He is a member of the Labour and Co-operative Parties.

Early life Born in Lambeth, London to Irish parents, Kennedy grew up on the Aylesbury Estate in Southwark. His mother, Frances, worked in the Member's Tea Room in the House of Commons.

House of Lords Kennedy was made a life peer in the 2010 Dissolution Honours on the recommendation of Gordon Brown, the outgoing prime minister. He was created Baron Kennedy of Southwark, of Newington in the London Borough of Southwark, on 21 June 2010. He made his maiden speech in the House of Lords on 21 July 2010. During his tenure in Parliament, Kennedy has been Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Voter Registration, Vice Chair of the APPG on Credit Unions and a member of the Co-operative Party Parliamentary Group.

He first joined the opposition frontbench as a whip from October 2011 to September 2012, under the leadership of Ed Miliband. Kennedy returned to the role in September 2015, under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, and was also appointed as a shadow spokesperson for Communities and Local Government, Housing and Home Affairs.

Kennedy was elected unopposed as Opposition Chief Whip in the Lords in June 2021, and stepped down as an opposition Home Affairs and Cabinet Office spokesperson. He was appointed to the Cabinet Office role less than a month earlier, and stepped down from his remaining spokesperson roles in December 2021. As Opposition Chief Whip, he became Deputy Chair of the Lords Committees and a shadow cabinet attendee, under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer.

After the 2024 United Kingdom general election, he was appointed Chief Whip of the Labour Party in the House of Lords for the government. In July 2026, he was reappointed to the new government by Andy Burnham.

Kennedy held the title of Honorary President of the National Pubwatch until 11 September 2024 and was succeeded by Graham Evans, Baron Evans of Rainow.

Personal life Kennedy is married to Alicia Kennedy, former Deputy General Secretary of the Labour Party, who sits alongside him as a life peer in the Lords. They served together on Lewisham Council from 2014 to 2016 as well.

He is a supporter of Millwall Football Club.