Civil Service Live
Profile: Tom Watson
Tom Watson was elected to Parliament in June 2001 and was quickly appointed to the Home Affairs Select Committee. He was made Parliamentary Secretary to the Paymaster General in 2003 and entered the Government as an Assistant Whip at the end of 2004.
Between May and September 2006 he was Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans. In July 2007, he rejoined Government in the Government Whips office and in January 2008 was appointed Cabinet Office Minster and Minister for the Civil Service.
Tom is the author of a number of publications, including Votes for All, examining the introduction of compulsory voting, and Taking Responsibilty - Dealing with the Legacy of Radioactive Waste; and contributes regularly to political journals.
Tom was Parliament's first blogger and has a well-established interest in technology.
He lives in the Black Country with his wife Siobhan and young son Malachy. Outside politics his interests include growing vegetables, most spectator sports, music and cinema.